ABSTRACT
This chapter is addressed to the topic of how Track 2 international policy networks contribute to economic security. There are at least three prior questions. The first concerns the meaning and measurement of economic security. For example, do lower trade barriers and enhanced direct investment flows contribute to economic security? Many would argue that they do, more definitely in the longer term, by increasing the efficiency of production, widening consumer choices, and raising aggregate income levels. But others are less sure, or even argue to the contrary, pointing to short-term adjustment problems or the dangers of longer-term exploitation. Without dismissing the legitimacy and importance of this question, this chapter accepts a neoclassical economic view that trade and capital liberalization, when combined with measures to facilitate adjustments for industries, firms and individuals, improves economic security.
