fair trade

[katie mccready]

i resently took part in a debate and think fiar trade is very good but i have concerns on how we could get the avrage bissness to to take part. and as for the big companies they nead aboloshing.

[Kez]

Hey Katie,

Fair Trade, an interesting topic.

First lets have a gander at why bosses do free trade.
-In my opinion it is simply a marketing ploy, as with fair trade people will buy it due to its "fairness"
-If Fair Trade didnt bring more profit for the company the company wouldnt do it
-Most importantly if Fair Trade didnt make a profit tomorrow it would be cut and stopped
-Power still resides in the hands of the capitalists (bosses) and this is an obstacle for REAL fair trade

What happens to worker exploitation?
-From what i know, the worker is simply exploited less, ie he/she is continued to be exploited anyway by the worker, and we as socialists oppose all exploitation

What should we do?
- I myself am a big fan of fair trade, in the sense i want fair trade, not be given as crumbs to the workers, but i believe that the worker should take the whole cake! Only workers themselves organised, running the business can make it fair, so that they get the wage the deserve from the effort (labour) they put in.

What you think?

[Hegemonicretribution]

Getting the biggest companies to take part is near impossible as they are opposed to such an idea ideologically in the most part. Even if it was profitable, and to them I say fair enough they have their beliefs I have mine. The way to get other companies to take part...actually there are a few tactics. One is through government, the Fairtrade Federation can grant "Fairtrade status" To achieve this there have to be links to fairtrade in business, cafes, shops, consumers and all government areas. This is one way that you could get coffee, tea and chocolate for starters into mainstream circulation. However not everywhere would go in for it, I am fortunate.

As for targetting individual businesses you will have to make sacrifices and make them feel good. Put the focus on them and how great they are is usually the only way to achieve anything. It is not easy to drag their name through the mud, because the average household isn't that fussed, so you are isolating yourself if you choose to slag them off.

Media attention, and promises of good publicity are often incentive enough for companies to get involved. Biting your lip and making compromising isn't strictly what I believe in, but I know it gets far better results.

It is possible to achieve things within most arenas, when you realise that not everyone is a bourgeois pig, just a little apathetic or unaware. GFlad to hear you are interested in fairtrade.

[katie mccready]

this is very intresting. i am amased that there is so much in it at the debate theas posh school kids that hardly knew the topic i thought i knew more. but how could we defet these capitalist a revolution maby, but is there a peceful solution?, theres too meny apathetic people in the world how can we stop them from buying the products from the copanies.


be the way thanks for repling.

[Hegemonicretribution]

I guess you can't really hold the idea of "stopping" people from buyiong to strongly. That is giving them ideas, rather than forming their own. If you offer alternatives, and simply give insights into abuses then you might achieve. People might be apathetic but are not generally inheritantly evil. If they are given the choice, then they may well choose different options, if they are available.

Lets face it even most people on the board only choose options if they are available, if at all. Most people still use Nike, Coca-cola etc...and an all out boycott is little more than good for self esteem and getting people talking. It is the promotion of alternatives that gets results.

As for revolution I always advocate a paradigm shift, via a near cultural hegemony. That is change the dominant ideas to one bourne out of a more objective and educated perspective. Only in a climate where change is desirabe can it be implemented. The worker needs to want change, before they can force it.

[seen_che]

In our stores they sell fair trade products chocolate..koffe...te..etc....
But people dont buy them becaus they cost to much......*I buy them ;) *
But HELLO Fairtrade is MUCH better then other products......

[Hegemonicretribution]

In reality costs are neglegible, and places that sell them top whack, are simply using fairtrade as a selling point...i.e.e charging over the odds. They cost the same as many top brands inj many cases.

Still I odn't mind aying more, and people pay more for organic etc options