Commerce and Transportation: A Deep Dive
Trade and Transport
1. Commercial Activity: Internal Trade
Trade: The exchange (buying, selling, and renting) of goods and services for money.
1.1. Internal Trade
The importance of commercial activity can be viewed from two perspectives: social and economic development.
There are two types of trade:
- Wholesale: The acquisition of large quantities of goods by large companies.
- Retail: The sale of smaller quantities of products directly to consumers by retailers.
1.2. Current Trends
Commercial activity is constantly evolving, adapting to consumer habits. Current trends include:
- Changes in product presentation
- Incorporation of technological advances
- Strengthening of sales strategies
- Innovative business models
- Diversification of retail spaces
2. Domestic and Foreign Trade
2.1. What is it?
It involves the exchange of goods and services between different countries. There are two types of transactions:
- Exports: Products and services a country sells to others.
- Imports: Products and services a country buys from others.
Key indicators include:
- Trade Balance: The difference between a country’s export value and import value.
- Balance of Payments: The overall balance of trade and other economic transactions (including services and capital) between countries.
Role of the State
States can adopt two economic policies regarding foreign trade: free trade or protectionism.
Protectionist measures restrict free trade through:
- Tariffs: Taxes paid by importers when products cross borders.
- Quotas: Limits on the import of certain foreign products to reduce competition with domestic products.
- Subsidies: Financial support provided by the state to promote sales abroad.
2.2. Trade Blocs
States promote regional trade blocs to facilitate trade. These blocs are established through economic organizations and multilateral treaties.
3. Transport
Transportation involves moving people, raw materials, and goods. Transport systems include land, maritime, river, and air.
Two basic elements condition a transport system:
- Vehicles: Mechanical devices built for transportation (cars, trucks, ships, airplanes).
- Infrastructure: Facilities needed for transportation (roads, highways, ports, airports).
3.1. Articulation of Territory
Economic activity and transportation are closely linked. Economic activities require effective transport systems, making transportation and economic development interconnected.
4. Communications
In a broad sense, communications refers to the infrastructure needed for travel (roads, highways, etc.).
More commonly, it refers to information transmission systems and media.
4.1. New Technologies
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) result from new transmission methods (satellites, etc.).
Information is transmitted through two main systems:
- Wireless: Transmitted through the air.
- Cable: Transmitted through cables via electrical impulses.
Communication-related economic activities are constantly expanding within the information society.
- Specialized communication companies are large international corporations involved in various multimedia businesses (telephony, internet, etc.).
- Nearly all companies, regardless of size or specialization (design, production, etc.), rely on communication technologies.
4.2. Mass Media
Mass media transmit information of general interest to the population. The most important forms include:
- Print: Printed on paper.
- Radio: Audio broadcast.
- Television: An ever-expanding communication medium using communication satellites.
- Web Pages: One of many internet applications.