The ethics of globalisation, free trade and fair trade

Abstract

In this thesis I take a broadly consequentialist normative position and argue that because fair trade is an inefficient method of aiding the poor, we should not support it and prefer free trade goods with an appropriate and equal donation to a charity, designed to aid the poor and encourage development in the undeveloped and developing world, instead. I also argue that globalisation is the best means of development and we should support it as well. The thesis progresses first by considering consequentialism, which I argue is especially suited to the problem of analysing poverty in applied ethics, and some objections to it, which I briefly attempt to answer. Following that, I consider fair trade and both some theoretical and practical problems that it faces which my alternative does not. Then I briefly consider how globalisation results in development and why it should be supported. Finally, I conclude with a brief chapter where I respond to a few pertinent objections which arise on the periphery of my discussion that could be seen as damaging to my position.