For them, the overall economic benefits of trade liberalization matter little, if their own narrow interests are being undercut. Even if these groups are relatively small, the discipline and unity with which they fight trade liberalization can amplify their political influence considerably – especially if a powerful political figure takes up their cause.
但贸易自由化的政治学——即各国怎样接受自由贸易——要复杂得多，这主要是因为受到冲击的特殊利益集团从中作梗。对他们来说，贸易自由化的总体经济利益不值一提，如果他们自身的狭隘利益受到侵蚀的话。即使这些群体规模相对较小，但在于贸易自由化对抗的过程中，他们表现出极强的纪律和团结，这能大大增加他们的政治影响力——特别是如果某权势政治人物站在他们这一边的话。