Globalization & Fair Trade
The "Pros" of Globalization
What Is Globalization?
- It helps less-developed countries improve their economies by providing more jobs and more industrial development
- It allows new technology to be shared across the world
Example: communications, medical treatments, agricultural methods
- It gives people in all over the world access to a larger variety of goods and services at reasonable prices
- It allows knowledge to be shared across the world
Example: education, books, democracy
- It reduces poverty in less-developed countries, as richer countries will be forced to consider their own country’s quality of life and that of others, thanks to the control of the world economy by international organizations
- Cultures will gain a better understanding of one another because of world-wide communication and trade
- Globalization describes the increased movement of goods, services, technology, and money throughout the world.
- Although globalization is not new, its pace has increased with new technologies, especially in the area of telecommunications.
- Throughout history, there have often been periods of international trade, movement of people and goods between countries, and cultural exchange between countries.
The "Cons" of Globalization
Fair Trade: Improving Lives
- Who will control the international corporations?
- What will happen to the minority cultures in the world?
- How will we make sure that the less-powerful nations are getting a fair price for their services and their goods?
- How will we make sure that international corporations protect the environment when they operate in less-developed nations?
What Is Fair Trade?
- Fair Trade refers to a fair partnership between people who sell goods in North America and people who produce goods in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other parts of the world.
- A fair trade partnership provides low-income craftspeople and farmers with a a wage that is high enough to maintain a normal standard of living (living wage).
- Food and craft products are labeled “fair trade goods” if:
- The workers and producers are paid a fair wage.
- Workers and producers have safe and healthy working conditions.
- Equal employment opportunities are available to all people, particularly the most disadvantaged.
- Production practices are environmentally sustainable and are often organic.
- A fair share of the profits goes to the producers, and not to corporations who distribute or package the goods.
- Financial and technical help is provided to producers whenever possible.
Mini Activity: Think, Pair and Share
Can you think of any items that could be considered Fair Trade?
The Connection
How do Globalization and Fair Trade "connect" to one another?
- Fair Trade consists of a movement of goods between countries
- It provides less-developed countries with job opportunities
- It assists in reducing poverty on an individual scale in less-developed countries by providing a living/fair wage to producers