[Vision2020] (no subject)

[Debbie Gray]

On the topic of cheap labor in China and whatnot, i'd like to recommend
the book "The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy : An Economist Examines the
Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade / by Pietra Rivol" (maybe this
has been discussed already but I've been unsubscribed for quite a while)

It traces the creation of a simple cotton t-shirt from the fields of
cotton in Texas, to being exported to China, to the factories in China
(and other countries), back to the U.S., on to Goodwill and other things
once the consumer is 'done' and then what happens to the shirts that
Goodwill can't sell.

It is fascinating and looks at how just not buying a t-shirt made in china
isn't really the point because most of the cotton is produced in the U.S.
because of such incredibly huge farm programs, university extension
research contributions, mechanization, etc that has almost completely
reduced the RISK of farming in the U.S. as compared to any other country.
The section about labor in China was also eye opening because the author
talks about the women who work in the factories under strict conditions
but also how so many of those women have had their opportunities opened to
them by being able to work in a factory instead of on a farm in remote
China.  Also, how the only free market that is encountered throughout the
entire book and history of the t-shirt is in clothing markets in Africa
where the t-shirts that even goodwill couldn't sale are sold in open
markets.

I am not going to delve into the walmart vs no walmart debate BUT this
would be a good addition for those who are reading up on the subject.

I hope this post makes sense because I am home sick with 2 sick kids, one
sick 36 year old man-kid and myself and the thought process is flowing
like frozen mud. (see also Moscow weather...)

 Debbie

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  Debbie Gray      dgray at uidaho.edu
  We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
  so as to have the life that is waiting for us." --Joseph Campbell
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