"Reluctant Entrepreneurs" paints the micro-finance community in a much different light than the media. Despite the term, "entrepreneurial poor," it seems as if there has been a disconcerting morale towards the micro-credit returns. He paints the poor in two different lights--as likely to go into business as the rich, and still managing enough money to repay their loans. It is clearly shown however that when given an initial support of money and provisions, the poor can start to exit out of extreme poverty. Despite the benefits of micro-finance, the media fails to state that the poor operate tiny businesses and tiny businesses are making little money. Thus these small entrepreneurs are stuck making small profit; it is too hard to get over the hump (of the investment curve); entrepreneurs feel they are destined to be small. If entrepreneurs fear that they cannot even invest, and consequently that their businesses might fail, then education for their children is not even a question. The next generation is without talents, skills, or anticipation for a brighter future. I find this to paint micro-finance in a realistic light, and show that stable and higher wages, and the implementation of "better jobs," for even unskilled workers can help the world economy.
"Black Sheep" was a beautiful story delineating the rise of an internet company from the life of a poor Indian. We can compare our privileged lives to the narrator, but we realize that both he and I, "both read the same newspaper I read...have one breakfast..have stress.." We can take his story and relate it to the problems we have in our lives. The narrator grew up in domestic violence, with both an abusive father and a mother whose generation of women felt dependent on the husband. The narrator was the "black sheep," the exception, that in actuality, proved to be "watched with greater care." It is because the narrator worried not about numbers, about the top rank in the class, the absence of intrinsic value of money, even denying a bonus of 16 rupees. The narrator states that if we all are mentally hurt or disturbed in some way, we can become the "black sheep" and reject the status quo.
"Game-Playing: Rethinking Power and Empowerment," is an in depth analysis of the origins of the fair trade movement, through the different categories of power. The writer makes a clear distinction between resistance and game-playing, elaborating with the latter as it manifests defiance in a form that brings about radical change. This change develops new structures in the transnational level.
The writer seeks to elaborate on two assumptions: the inevitability of resistance whenever there is power, and the failed attempts of sole individuals to conduct and determine the behavior of others to solidify complete domination. In actuality, as delineated through an electricity circuit motif, power is described in five ways: power over, power with, power to, power within, and power beyond.
It is interesting to see the clear distinction between resistors and game-players. Yet each is interconnected to bring about a social and cultural change to the structure. Resisters institutionalize alternative models into these capitalist institutions rather than seek to transform the institution. Defiance is merely a rational, response that any individual is capable of doing. We can easily resist a fair trade chocolate, and this will spur awareness and consequently others to makes the same decisions, but it is also equally, important for game-players to change the institutions in its entirety. And it can't just be one small group of people. Defiance groups must be through a collective action, constitute inter-connectivity through the dispersion of mini pockets of power to create new circuits of power at the transnational level.
All to many times the arguments of resistance groups are swallowed up buy the regulatory orders of our government. It almost reminds me of growing up.. as everything seems in shades of pink for us now, and we can resist against certain social injustices, but come graduation, and we succumb to the many troubles of "the real world," I hope we will not give into the system. Resistance is conservative action, but if we collectively surge a game-playing movement, via tools of "power-within," "power with," "power to," and "power beyond," we can create a dramatic institutional impact in the structure and agency.
It is interesting to understand the concept of power as delineated by Arendt. When someone is in power.. he is empowered by a certain number of people to act in the collective groups name, but if the group begins to disappear, that person's power vanquishes. This reminds me so much of politics in today's government, such a polarized dilemma, that is seen in the light of the stubbornness of the parties. It makes me upset to see that our country is so focused on this debt ceiling, and unable to adopt a somewhat post-liberal, social viewpoint, that if, as Obama stated, "if a kitchen is renovated, and you don't like the cabinets, would you demolish the whole kitchen?" The renovation, can imply the tiny changes to the structure of our country, and the constant backlashes against it.
Fair Trade can be a perfect example of making awareness of a renovation that will be durable, and long lasting. The globalization of our economy creates a need for interdependence on other countries. Collective action, and a genuine interest, our of compassion for other country's social and economic problems might just be the key to peace and stability today!
In "Harnessing Entrepreneurial Energy," William Foote discusses the business framework behind Root Capital and it's efforts to fulfill economic and social needs to farming cooperatives. Read in the light of Shiwahiade, a Tanzanian cooperative farmer, this reading emphasizes the purpose of financing companies and the benefits for both producers and consumers.
I learned that despite global demand for ethically and eco-friendly produced products, there is a missing middle that has lost it's representation, and who are unable to access capital to grow their markets. They are no entirely "unemployed," as they are subsistance farmers, who use archaic machinery to sow their plants, however they lack the support needed for the capability of competing in a global economy. As we have seen before in the documentaries on African labor abuses, these countries are isolated from the global economy. As Gabi had told us during class, I remember the only form of communication the African village had with the outside world was via a talk radio. So this new term of a "missing middlemen" made me realize that despite the financial aid so many people give to these people, it will not help unless we help support these people via financial loans, training, and strengthening market connections. If we fail to do this and settle with putting a few dollars to a donation box, we will continue to fuel this cycle of poverty. Read in the light of my first point, the story of the cooperative at Quinacho is so similar to what Victor had said in our previous class. The money that cycles through these economies fuels for drug trading, violence, and overall social and political injustice. If we are able to instruct these people on proper business practices and jump start their companies, we can expect to see an alternative to drug trade and a growing business.
I also found it inspiring that Foote also makes note of the many strategic partnerships developing to support the "middlemen." Foote notes the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs--building the infrastructure, enabling small and growing businesses to thrive in developing countries. He also created the Global Impact Investing Network--where "big time" investors like JP Morgan, and TIAA-CREF, who are would-be competitors, actually come together and forge alliances. This shows inspiration that shines a new light on the many evils of competition and consumer capitalism.
I am so inspired by Root Capital because the statistics don't lie. There is a proven success rate. And I particularly loved the ending because, sometimes when we least expect it, as he was not that excited to visit another cooperative late at night, he finds the most rewarding part of his practice by seeing the children playing their instruments, a direct cause of his good works, and a beacon of hope that speaks millions to these "middlemen" who are finding business partners and learning important strategies from investors.
Every reading in this class has made me realize that despite the amount of dedicated service and aid for these third world countries, there is so much more work to be done. "A Brilliant Idea" is a cry for justice.. even amongst our fellow Fair Trade certified comrades! For multinational corporations, obtaining the Fair Trade label is not meant to represent the company as 100% morally right. It seems as if the Fair Trade products are becoming commodified, and companies simply seek to obtain the label to promote "awareness of social injustices." Then why isn't Starbucks 100% Fair Trade right now?! There is so much more for companies to be doing, and it seems through this article that many companies are doing the bare minimum to sell the products. I had a feeling that despite the fairer living conditions of these laborers, but I knew that they wouldn't be living in a luxurious apartment either.
I was particularly interested in the relationship described between the laborers, companies, and consumers. Both the companies and laborers have a specific obligation, the latter following certain labor laws--right to association, collective bargaining, no children under age 15, and the former must maintain the obligation of setting a Fair Trade premium price to pay for social, environmental, and developmental projects for the laborers. However, we as consumers also become part of this relationship triangle. And we haven't been doing such a good job in maintaining this relationship! It was interesting to see that the US was the most stubborn nation in promoting Fair Trade, and it is vital that we start to participate more in promoting Fair Trade.
And as all Fair Trade readings do, I am inspired to be among those people who start to make a difference and raise awareness in the US. Our country may be lagging behind, but there is still hope that as a school, Fordham can help raise awareness this semester, (and in the future) through our projects and selling products through the Fair Trade cart. Along with selling the products, I am also excited to raise awareness of Fair Trade and show people that they too can make a difference with each purchase.
I was glad to about the birth of the Fair Trade movement, and I am so happy that each assignment for this class truly reshapes the way I think in my everyday life. All stemming from the metaphor that God has sculpted man from his hands, these pages underscore our roles as humans: to imprint our identity onto someone or something--whether it be handicrafts, an impoverished child we help, or through decisions we make as a conscious consumer. We have a role to make a difference.
What frustrates me, as I watch these documentaries, and read on Fair Trade, is that women my age do not have the same opportunities as me. They can have the same IQ, but with little education, and unfair social treatment, their goals are reduced to catering to the men's wishes. Women having a voice in society? What is that? It is a chilling idea for me, as I was so prolific with Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean in:Women's Will and the Power to Work."
22 year old Shilpi, just 3 years older than me, has been working her whole life, was raped, lost her father at age 15, is taunted by her forced sexual relations with villagers, and continues to beg on the streets as a sex slave.
It was so enlightening to hear of the "Just Coffee" organization in Quebec that started from scratch, selling to few customers. This reminded me of my own bed cover project, and gave me hope that with the proper marketing campaign, this can become a great financial benefit and raise awareness of FT.
A great fact I learned that I can tell people now is that FT's goal is not to raise money, as denoted by the UN's slogan "Trade not Aid." It is to improve the trading system in order to help the people that make these products.
As I look around my surroundings, I cannot help but to think that an individual-- someone thinking about their children, their financial problems, what they would eat for dinner, created that product that I am using.
Hi all. After watching "Blood Coltan," it seriously has changed the way I will look at my phone. This phone is the living emblem of the continuing struggle in the Congo. Right now, innocent children are forced to bear arms. Women are raped, tortured, and enslaved.
One part that impacted me was when the journalist asked the Congolese what the coltan was for. He was about 15 years old, and was working in a mine with other children, some much younger. Apart from knowing coltan is a mineral, he had no idea what its use was, which is quite sad. If he only knew that this mineral was fueling the world with its most demanded product. This shows me how education is key for not only the individual's interest, but for the economic, political, and social well-being of a country. Sure, as Bandi Mbubi shows, coltan has brought the wealth of the Congo to $34 trillion, but the money is in the hands of the rebels.
Another impacting moment for me was listening to John Boscoe. I have had a shaky time keeping my relationship with the church, but I almost felt at home when listening to him. As if apart from feelings of evil, Boscoe made me feel welcomed and relieved that there are some good people there trying to help. It is so important for these people to understand what is going on in their country. That is also why I am so happy that women Christine is helping those innocent victims of rape and gives the women $10 a month. The rape crimes were appalling and looking at those abused women made me want to look away from the screen and ask myself how a person could be so evil to oppress those innocent women, who will forever be scarred.
And so I learned something new today. Shown in the light of TED speaker Mbubi, this phone is both a symbol of freedom and oppression. As many lives this phone helps by sharing information at the touch of our fingertips, it is also fueling this war in areas with coltan mines that arm 30,000 children and rape, torture, and enslave women and children.
This parallels much with "The Dark Side of Chocolate" in a sense that the phone manufacturers are liable for this situation. How is the head of Nokia not aware of the code of conduct on his company website? As the man in Belgium, who was accused by the UN for selling coltan from the Congo, today when you buy a shipment, you can't tell who was directly involved. That is why we must, as Mbubi advises, petition to make a conflict-free iPhone and create awareness of the situation that is going on right now!
Tue Nov 19, 2013 3:42 am
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