The TPP, TTIP, and TiSA are called “free trade” agreements, but they have little to do with freedom or with trade. They have more to do with rights and protections for big banks, investors, and multinational corporations who engage in human rights atrocities and massive ecological exploitation. First and foremost, the United States must drop these deals and create, in a transparent and democratic way, alternative international agreements that put people and the planet first. Ultimately, the United States should step down from its role as global arbiter, a position it has held for too long. As we work towards this, we can also start creating a new economy. One way is to localize production and consumption, pulling ourselves and our communities out of global capitalism. Another way is to build just relationships between producers and consumers. Two models have developed to do this internationally: fair trade and direct trade.
What are these models and do they truly work to end centuries of colonialism?
Here are a few articles to learn more:
Overview of Fair and Direct Trade:
Does Fair Trade Coffee Simply Ease our Guilty Conscience:
The Fair Trade Coffee Conundrum:
What’s Fairer than Fair Trade? Try Direct Trade:
Here are some organizations to check out:
