tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343163817426504212.post7796297166145340393..comments2023-08-15T14:13:25.881+01:00Comments on The Simple Pastor: BBC responds to my badger!Phil Whittallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02924050376023993196noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343163817426504212.post-20093357519229332212009-09-01T19:39:52.793+01:002009-09-01T19:39:52.793+01:00Hi Dave
Interesting points. I tend to view Fairtr...Hi Dave<br /><br />Interesting points. I tend to view Fairtrade as a 'best worst option' when it comes to global consumerism. It doesn't really address the core problem of the dominance of western corporations in third-world area. One of the major pluses for me is the guarantee of no trafficked people and no bonded labour - to know that is, in itself, a worthwhile reason to buy Fairtrade.<br /><br /><br />.Ian Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16777033213615262701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343163817426504212.post-37221878899457087072009-08-29T00:28:22.291+01:002009-08-29T00:28:22.291+01:00Hi Phil,
Well I'll keep it brief because I sh...Hi Phil,<br /><br />Well I'll keep it brief because I should be going to bed.<br /><br />> It impoverishes poor countries because it subsidises production of a product so distorting the market and preventing them branching out into production of goods which produce a real profit. I.e. it hinders development.<br />> It impoverishes farmers who are not in the scheme because by creating an 'artificially' high price for those in the scheme it encourages more growers than the market price demands and so supply is too high and the market price is pushed down for all those outside the scheme.<br />> It is a sop to the rich west enabling them to feel they are doing something to help the two-thirds world and so don't need to engage with the more serious issues.<br />> As a way to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor world it is very inefficient. Rather than going towards carefully chosen projects it just goes to a select few producers (who are often far from the poorest anyway). Meanwhile everyone along the supply-chain enjoys from more comfortable margins because the consumer is paying extra for feeling good about themselves.<br /><br />However, I wouldn't stop at telling people not to buy fair-trade. Too often people look at the ineffectiveness of certain initiatives or running costs of charity and use it as an excuse to do nothing. Instead I would then want to say that instead we should:<br />> Engage with the big issues and the politics of it all.<br />> Give the extra money that we would otherwise pay to buy fair-trade products over non-fair-trade products to charity.<br /><br />So I hope that helps. In summary, I think the only people who benefit are the tiny number fair-trade growers. But they benefit at the expense of their fellow growers, their countries, and the rich world (who, granted, can probably cope with the loss).Dave Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07274586753770186840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343163817426504212.post-39096375413864129562009-08-28T13:41:41.850+01:002009-08-28T13:41:41.850+01:00Hi Dave
Thanks for your comment and for stopping b...Hi Dave<br />Thanks for your comment and for stopping by the blog. I'd be genuinely interested in hearing your reasons why you think 'Fairtrade is a bad thing for almost everyone' - happy to have that debate here on this blog. Best regards from someone who thinks you're wrong!Phil Whittallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924050376023993196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343163817426504212.post-87261848174110372562009-08-27T20:51:51.852+01:002009-08-27T20:51:51.852+01:00I suppose I'm one of those annoying people who...I suppose I'm one of those annoying people who think is controversial. I tend to think that Fairtrade is a bad thing for almost everyone, and will actually increase poverty rather than reduce it.<br /><br />So we do exist :) and I'm pleased with the BBC's decision.<br /><br />But, hey, I know I'm in the minority.Dave Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07274586753770186840noreply@blogger.com