Fair Trade and the Double Movement: The Promise and Contradictions of Improving Labor Standards in the Global South via Market Mechanisms

Title: Fair Trade and the Double Movement: The Promise and Contradictions of Improving Labor Standards in the Global South via Market Mechanisms
Summary:

I examine Fair Trade (FT) as a social movement that emerges as a regulative force in response to the rise of neoliberalism. I apply Polanyi's (1944, 1957) classic concepts of embeddedness and the double movement to understand the conflict that arises within a coherently motivated social movement. Using interview and participant observation data along with content analysis of FT organiation mission statements, this research examines the role of conflict within the FT movement over how best to improve the well-being of producers in the global South. I discuss the different, conflicting ways in which FT participants think about improving labor conditions in the global South and the inherent conflict in using market mechanisms to counter market forces.

TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:

Kristen Shorette 2011 Fair Trade and the Double Movement: The Promise and Contradictions of Improving Labor Standards in the Global South via Market Mechanisms Journal of Workplace Rights 15 (3-4) 461-481

Language: English
Type: Journal
Academic Publication: yes
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