The Politics of Fair Trade

This book argues that fair trade is opposition to trade based on sincere concerns about environmental and labor conditions abroad rather than just protectionism in disguise or labels on coffee products, using public opinion and Congressional voting as evidence that fair trade is sincere and distinct from free trade and protectionism. The Politics of Fair Trade argues that fair trade is more than just labels on specialty coffee products. Nor is fair trade just protectionism in disguise. Rather, fair trade is opposition to unrestricted trade based on sincere concerns about environmental and labor conditions abroad. Fair traders are not trying to protect jobs or the economy at home, but do not want to see workers exploited and the environment degraded in their trading partners. Academics and policymakers are ill equipped to deal with fair trade concerns because they wrongly assume trade preferences run along a single dimension from free trade to protection. This book introduces a multidimensional theory of trade policy preferences, arguing that people can oppose trade for different and unrelated reasons. The book then demonstrates, using public opinion data in the U.S. and EU and Congressional voting data in the U.S., that fair traders are sincere and not simply protectionists. The book demonstrates why fair trade poses a threat to free trade and argues that free traders should include stronger and enforceable labor and environmental standards in trade agreements in order to win the support of fair traders. Doing so will enable free trade to continue while also helping to improve conditions in developing countries, satisfying the concerns of both free traders and fair traders.

Includes chapters on relevant issues pertaining to fair trade, written by experts in the field; case studies of commodities involved in fair trade issues; and an A - Z of entries dealing with issues, organizations, disputes, and relevant countries with regard to fair trade. This title explores the most current issues pertaining to fair trade, featuring in-depth analysis by the leading experts in this field. It boasts case studies of the key commodities involved in fair trade issues, plus an A-Z of entries dealing with issues, organizations, disputes, and relevant countries with regard to fair trade. Essays include: Falling Foul of Fair Trade: The Politics of Supply Chains; The Politics of Fairer Trade: Marketing `Fairness' Through Brands; Branding Morality; Certification as Governance: Possibilities and Pitfalls; Fair Trade: A New Paradigm for Development. Case studies include: coffee; chocolate; handicrafts; textiles; rice.