Swedish consumers are increasingly buying fair trade, vegetarian and ecological products, but is it really making the world a better place? In their new book about ethical trade, Gothenburg researchers Bengt Brlde and Joakim Sandberg are not so sure. Although it might help ease people's bad conscience, it does nothing to change the root of the problem, they say. Instead, fixing the problem will require collective solutions, such as legislation at a global level.
The development and globalisation of trade in recent decades has not only implied welfare gains for many people, it has also led to a number of difficult ethical challenges: increasing inequalities between rich and poor countries, global environmental decay and climate change, and what many people would call a growing disrespect for other people, animals and our natural environment. What are the responsibilities of consumers in this context? For example, is it morally wrong not to buy fair trade and ecological products? What are the responsibilities of businesses? And of politicians?
The authors of the new book Hur br vi handla? Filosofiska tankar om rttvisemrkt, vegetariskt och ekologiskt (in Swedish, published by Bokfrlaget Thales) explore the seriousness and extent of the above global problem. The authors mix empirical facts with philosophical discussions about people's moral responsibilities for fellow human beings, animals and the environment. They also discuss possible solutions, for example at the individual level.
'Many consumers do want to contribute to a better world,' says Joakim Sandberg. 'But you really don't change anything by choosing fair trade coffee or ecological bananas at the store. Due to the way trade works, our good intentions risk going to waste.'
The book explains how single individuals can maximise their influence, for example by choosing the most effective charity organisation or participating in collective actions and movements. However, i
'/>"/>
| Contact: Joakim Sandberg joakim.sandberg@gu.se 46-070-835-6532 University of Gothenburg Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Ethical Adaptation to Climate Change envisions the good life in a harsher world
2. Manatee hearing good enough to sense approaching motorboats
3. Study finds cancer-fighting goodness in cholesterol
4. Evidence shows that anti-depressants likely do more harm than good, researchers find
5. Light weights are just as good for building muscle, getting stronger, researchers find
6. Some HDL, or good cholesterol, may not protect against heart disease
7. Good news for nanomedicine: Quantum dots appear safe in pioneering study on primates
8. What sounds good doesnt always taste good
9. Good news: Fewer maternal and child deaths
10. New methods for better purification of wastewater
11. New paper by Notre Dame researchers describes method for cleaning up nuclear waste
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |