International Movement: Fair Trade Analysis

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Recommended: An essay on fair trade

Previously known and described as ‘alternative development’, Fair Trade is an international movement which seeks global social justice, economic justice and environmental sustainability through the workings of the market. (Lyon and Moberg 2010) Addressing injustice has never been more important as many have worked hard to convey information of the social conditions under which goods we consume are produced, and the people who produce them for a fairer trade between producers and consumers regardless of where we come from, where we are, and what we do. (Jaffee 2007) In this essay, I will analyse the Fair Trade movement firstly in terms of the world systems theory, and then in terms of the world polity theory. I will then discuss and justify why both perspectives are accurate and compelling in the case of Fair Trade.
Fair Trade can be defined as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional trade”. (Lyon and Moberg 2010) By encouraging more ethical consumer choice, Fair Trade challenges processes which devalue and exploit people in disadvantaged positions and the environment by aiming to re-embed commodity circuits within ecological and social relations. (Lyon and Moberg 2010) Established and enforced by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Fair Trade is a voluntary system with its success driven by the wi...

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...sociology.emory.edu/faculty/globalization/theories02.html.
Lyon, Sarah, and Mark Moberg. 2010. Fair Trade and Social Justice: Global Ethnographies. New York and London: New York University.
Marshall, Ms Shelley, and Dr Kate MacDonald. n.d. Fair Trade, Corporate Accountability and Beyond: Experiments in Globalizing Justice. Ashgate Publishing Limited.
Martinez-Vela, Carlos A. 2001. "World Systems Theory."
Skocpol, Theda. 1977. "Wallerstein's World Capitalist System: A Theoretical and Historical Critique." American Journal of Sociology.
Smith, Jackie, and Dawn Wiest. 2012. "Changing Patterns of Transnational Social Movement Organizing." Social Movements in The World-System - The Politicsof Crisis and Transformation. Russel Sage Foundation.
2014. "World-Systems Theory." http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/users/f/felwell/www/Theorists/Wallerstein/Presentation/Wallerstein.pdf.

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