When Collier talks against tariffs to and Fair Trade as protect the bottom billion countries, I'm challenged because I have been in favor of these economic tools. While I have really enjoyed this book, I am troubled with his solutions that address economic development as the only way out for these countries. I believe there must be a way that farmers and craftsmen can produce for their local market and pay their workers a wage that, in turn, will allow those workers to buy those same farmers & craftsman's products. I do like that I am learning that the only option may be to work in the existing capitalistic system and consume in order to grow. Michael Carpenter
I am in the same boat as you on the topic of Fair Trade having in the past bought Fair Trade clothing. Collier states that accepting fair trade is prolonging the countries plight much in the same way buying a black market bird to set it free lets the seller know people buy them. I think Fair Trade is a practice that is doing it's job for now and is better than the alternative of poor labor laws.
I agree that participating in the capitalistic system is the ticket for these bottom billion countries; however, many of these bottom billion countries are not participating on their terms. Collier advocates private investment as the remedy to their plight but in some countries that has been a problem. I think in some cases it may help but in others it exposes predatory behavior of corporations and or weak governance. Bolivia has had a good run with "negotiating" different terms for their global participation.
The calling out of Christian Aid by Collier in Chapter ten was a very interesting part of the book. Especially the fact that he likens the organizations estimates and research to having Marxist bias then uses Lenin's phrase "useful idiots" to describe them. I must say that I find myself surprised how uninformed I am on the issue of global trade and the effects of our actions on global markets. After reading about the consequences of Fair Trade policies and how the implementation of foreign aid effects exporters in the country it is trying to help. These are both issues that I have heard about but have not thought about in these ways. It is interesting to read about the adverse effects of programs and organizations that are trying to help. As Collier put it "headless hearts". Mark Peterman
When Collier talks against tariffs to and Fair Trade as protect the bottom billion countries, I'm challenged because I have been in favor of these economic tools. While I have really enjoyed this book, I am troubled with his solutions that address economic development as the only way out for these countries. I believe there must be a way that farmers and craftsmen can produce for their local market and pay their workers a wage that, in turn, will allow those workers to buy those same farmers & craftsman's products. I do like that I am learning that the only option may be to work in the existing capitalistic system and consume in order to grow.
ReplyDeleteMichael Carpenter
I am in the same boat as you on the topic of Fair Trade having in the past bought Fair Trade clothing. Collier states that accepting fair trade is prolonging the countries plight much in the same way buying a black market bird to set it free lets the seller know people buy them. I think Fair Trade is a practice that is doing it's job for now and is better than the alternative of poor labor laws.
DeleteI agree that participating in the capitalistic system is the ticket for these bottom billion countries; however, many of these bottom billion countries are not participating on their terms. Collier advocates private investment as the remedy to their plight but in some countries that has been a problem. I think in some cases it may help but in others it exposes predatory behavior of corporations and or weak governance. Bolivia has had a good run with "negotiating" different terms for their global participation.
The calling out of Christian Aid by Collier in Chapter ten was a very interesting part of the book. Especially the fact that he likens the organizations estimates and research to having Marxist bias then uses Lenin's phrase "useful idiots" to describe them. I must say that I find myself surprised how uninformed I am on the issue of global trade and the effects of our actions on global markets. After reading about the consequences of Fair Trade policies and how the implementation of foreign aid effects exporters in the country it is trying to help. These are both issues that I have heard about but have not thought about in these ways. It is interesting to read about the adverse effects of programs and organizations that are trying to help. As Collier put it "headless hearts".
ReplyDeleteMark Peterman