Fair trade can be defined as a social movement thats objective is to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and elevate sustainability. Fair trade is contrasting to the other trade practices in our world, its about making codes of fairness in the marketplace. The practice of fair trade seeks to reshape the way we buy and sell products - to verify that all farmers and skilled workers behind the manufacturing of goods get a better deal. Most people would assume this as a better means for prices, however can include better and longer lasting relationships. Fair trade is also about information, having the knowledge as to where are food/products are coming from, and having the knowledge that all products were made ethically. It has brought upon an influence to persuade consumers to learn about the social, economic and environmental consequences of their purchases. The movement is conscious of the trust placed in it, and has made a commitment to developing and elevating the highest standards possible in order to maintain the trust. We can look at fair trade as a revolutionary practice, it promotes great change in the market, and on the partnership between producers, traders, businesses and consumers. Fair trade encourages the well-being of the world and those who inhabit it. In this paper we will look at the history of fair trade, the principals and the practices, and the benefits of it all. The fair trade market is an ever-growing place, and people need to become more educated about it. The history of fair trade begins with the deep roots in European societies long before alternative trading organizations (ATOs) were developed following WWII. Many concepts behind the notions of fair trade show simil... ... middle of paper ... ... the clear-cutting of larger estates. As you can see, something as simple as paying a fair wage to an employee, and a fair price for the goods produced can lead to benefits for everyone. Fair trade has been in development for fifty plus years now, and will continue to be a developing process. The fair trade organizations all aspire to accomplish similar goals. The practices that are practiced will be ongoing, and the vision will continue to grow with time. Fairtrade International, and Fair Trade Federation are continuously working towards developing new, and better policies to create and even better way of trading. The benefits to buying fair trade are a long list that we must take into consideration. Now that you have background information on what fair trade is, it’s up to you to make informed decisions about your purchases, and who you are giving money to.
Wright, L. T., & Heaton, S. (2006). Fair Trade marketing: an exploration through qualitative research. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 14(4), 411-426. doi:10.1080/09652540600948019
During the postclassical period, the expansion of trade had different interpretations around the world. Varying societies all reacted to trade in different ways due to how they viewed the situation. It had caused conflict in few areas around the world and also created peace as well as harm. Some communities had pros and cons to trade, like everything else. Some reasons for the positive or negative feedback on trade was due to religion, and or the philosophical system. Religion and the philosophical system was both pros or cons for trade in different civilizations. Religion helped with the spread of different ideas and religions across a mass area. Yet it had a negative input because then people fought, thinking their religion was more
Bentley, J., & Ziegler, H. (2008). Trade and encounters a global perspective on the past. (4th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 182-401). New York: McGraw-Hill.
competing individuals, and instead institute a system as whole, that is for the common account, according to a common plan, and with the participation of all members of the society. It will. abolish competition. Private property must therefore be abolished.” This creates an equality in the economic system.
...ystem primarily responsible for promoting global competition. Free trade also promotes shifts in production so as to fit the “comparative advantage” model. Though free trade is widely practiced concerns with how to regulate free trade, something supposedly unregulated, countries have to subject themselves to the controversial institutions of the IMF and WTO. Fair trade policies while potentially creating smaller markets support workers’ rights in both the U.S. and developing nations. Though the pros and cons of globalization continue to be debated the United States can no longer escape its role in the global economy nor can it impose policies that are detrimental to the United States founding ideals. However policies that play towards the advantages of both free and fair trade could stimulate a healthy domestic economy that is also competitive in the global market.
Even in a world focused on the benefits free trade and aimed at achieving the goal of free trade, states are protectionist by nature. Unfortunately, the design of the international system allows for stronger nations to be more protectionist, leaving the weaker states even more vulnerable. A study that is more intensive than a critical commentary should be devoted to analyzing the impact of free trade on developing nations. I was limited to the readings and prior knowledge, and thus couldn’t provide a sufficient analysis on the fair treatment of developing nations. I was skeptical of the one reading that focused on fairness of international institutions because of the statistics that indicate these nations have not done well in recent decades. I would like to look into this more given more time and resources.
In the acclaimed novel, The Choice: A Fable of Free Trade and Protectionism, author Russell Roberts, an economist and writer, tells a fictional story that enlightens readers to the wonders of the economic system. Russell provides an insightful, thought provoking story that illustrates protectionism and free trade, while making the concepts and arguments easy to comprehend.
In the article “Conditions of Trade,” Michael Baxandall explains that fifteenth-century Italian art is a “deposit” resulting from the commercial interaction between the artist and the purchaser, who he refers to as a client. These works, as such, are “fossils of economic life,” and money, and they play an important role in the history of art. In our current perception of the relationship between the artist and art, “painters paint what they think is best, and then look around for a buyer” . However in the past, especially during the Renaissance period, the customers determined the content and form of paintings, as it was them who commissioned the work before it was created. He states that the artists and clients were interconnected and a legal agreement was drawn up specifying subject matter, payment scheme and the quality and quantity of colors, which would influence the artist’s painting style. Baxandall not only looks at the explanation of the style of painting that reflects a society, but also engages in the visual skills and habits that develop out of daily life. The author examines the situations between the painter and client within the commercial, religious, perceptual, and social institutions, centrally focusing on markets, materials, visual practices, and the concept of the Renaissance period, which saw art as an institution. Baxandall notes that Renaissance paintings also relate to the clients’ motives through such ways as possession, self-commemoration, civic consciousness, and self-advertisement. The author considers works of a wide variety of artistic painters, for instance, Filippo Lippi, Fra Angelico, Stefano di Giovanni, Sandro Botticelli, Luca Signorelli, and numerous others. He defines and exemplifies fiftee...
Mitchener, Kris, J. "Politics and trade: evidence from the age of imperialism." Voxeu.org. CEPR, 11 April 2008. Web. 30 November 2013.
Fair Trade coffee truly presents a difficult dilemma: through attempts to help farmers it sometimes backfires in certain areas and ends up hindering instead. Rules for the guaranteed market, guaranteed price floor, and opposition of child labor all originate from good-hearted desires to improve the lives of coffee farmers. Unfortunately, the situation many coffee farmers face cannot be so easily solved. The process of moving Fair Trade to the next level of functionality may not come quickly: it may take years, even decades. But that does not matter; rather, it matters much more that we ensure that the issues are addressed and thought over rather than simply swept under the carpet with the National Debt. With care and creativity Fair Trade can grow if we simply put forth the effort required to help it do so.
In the late 1940s the initial fair trade movement began in the United States. During that period Fair trade was often regarded as a political gesture to neo-imperialism. The slogan 'Trade not Aid' at the time, obtain international recognition. In addition, it adopted the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to focus on the establishment of fair trade relations with the developing countries (Littrell and Dickson, 1999; MORI, 2000). At the same time Fair Trade in Europe started from the late 1950s. British Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) name Oxfam gradually to sell some crafts by Chinese refugees made in Oxfam stores (Littrell and Dickson, 1999; MORI, 2000). And then in 1964 it created the first fair trade organizations. Moreover, Dutch third world groups also began to sell cane sugar and this produces with the message 'by buying cane sugar you give people in poor countries a place in the sun of prosperity' (Littrell and Dickson, 1999; MORI,
Free trade is a form of economic policy which allows countries to import and export goods among each other with no government interference. In recent years there has been a general consensus in economist’s stance on free trade. They view free trade as an asset. Free trade allows for an abundance of goods with increased varieties and increased availability. The products become cheaper for consumers and no one company monopolizes an industry. The system of free trade has been highly controversial. While free trade benefits consumers it has the potential to hurt manufacturers and businesses thus creating a debate between supporters of free trade and those with antagonistic positions.
Free trade can be defined as the free access to the market by individuals without any restriction or any trade barriers that can obstruct the trade process such as taxes, tariffs and import quotas. Free trade in its own way unites and brings people together. Most individuals love the concept of free trade because it gives them the ability to move freely and interact with the market. The whole idea of free trade is that it lowers the price of goods and services by promoting competition. Domestic producers will no longer be able to rely on government law and other forms of assistance, including quotas, which essentially force citizens to buy from them.
“Fair trade is much more than a buying relationship,” Heyl said. “It’s about developing holistic communities and retaining wealth and talent and education in villages in India”. The model is especially significant for helping women. Heyl said in some communities, women aren’t allowed to leave the house without a man. Everything all at once.
In conclusion, Fair Trade provides reasonable amount of evidence that it is a great way to improve the lives of the workers. Reading more about Fair Trade gives the consumers a better understanding of how to help those who work under horrible conditions. Going out of our way to buy foods that are a little higher than usual would not hurt us. Personally, after researching Fair Trade, I would try my best to go to whole food markets in order to buy food products that are a little higher than regular price.