Re: Fairtrade coffee

On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 17:46:10 -0400, Smurf <bwoeha@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> This is an interesting discussion. I realize that I will not convince you,
> but for what it is worth, my opinion represents the mainstream economists'
> view and is not really controversial among Ph.D. economists. Take that
> graduate class in the economics of trade, general equilibrium and
> comparative advantage...!! "Fair trade" is misomer...


I'm not sure why you sound as if that should surprise me - the very
fact that the existing system exists indicates that the majority of
the rich 'west' thinks it's entirely reasonable to engage in trade
practices abusive of the 'third world'.

However, the majority view is not necessarily a true view, nor a fair
nor ethical view. Do they, for instance, still keep slaves where you
live?

regards, Ian SMith
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