This year, the Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise sponsored the "Free Trade
vs. Protectionism-The Battle for the World Economy" essay contest.  The
contest offered first and second place prizes, of $1,000 and $500
respectively, in both a college division and high school division.

Jessica Anthony, an MBA student at UTC, submitted the winning entry, and
Michael Ahmadi, a UTC math major, won second place, in the college division.

Ms. Anthony, who holds a BA in economics, chose free trade over
protectionism. Drawing from her experience of living in the Middle East,
she argued that protectionism is problematic because it gives a third-party
regulator the power to determine what is best for two or more individuals
engaged in free trade for their own self-interest.  Mr. Ahmadi, previously
a Berklee College of Music student, argued passionately for free trade as
the only realistic option for the global interaction of human nature.  Each
student displayed an extensive knowledge of the complex debate on free
trade vs. protectionism.

In the high school division, David Ray, a senior at McCallie School,
submitted the winning entry by arguing for a socialist market system based
on the success of West Germany.  Phi Tran, a student at Soddy Daisy High,
won second place in this division of the competition.  In her essay, Ms.
Tran argued that the history, values, and political systems of the United
States would keep the country balanced between free trade and protectionism.

Our congratulations go out to all of our winners!

Probasco Chair
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue
313 Fletcher Hall, Dept. 6106
Chattanooga, TN  37403
423-425-4118
fax 423-425-5218