Thank you, friends, for taking the time to read this blog on ethics and economics. We live in interesting and uncertain times. So many issues vie for our attention, especially for those who have the heart to change the world. Do we save the rainforest? Do we lobby for pro-life legislation? Pro-choice reinforcements? Should we follow our passion for organic food? Or should we strive to buy local? What about human trafficking?
The list goes on and on, so far, in fact, that many people are left feeling overwhelmed and impotent to do anything that may make a difference.
Many of you may be familiar with the parable of the boy who, after a rough storm in his fishing village, took a walk along the beach. He observed thousands of starfish washed up on the shore. He spent hours throwing them back in, one by one, until finally an elderly man approached him.
“Why are you doing this, child?” he asked. “Don’t you realize that what you’re doing will make no difference? There are too many!”
The child shrugged and threw back another one. “It made a difference to that one.”
To quote the wisdom of PBS Kids, “Doing something is better than doing nothing.”
So thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about ethics and economics! In this blog we will explore the connection between free trade, globalization, and the possibility of a level economic playing field for everyone. We will explore the past in regards to the first two, the good and the bad, but more than anything we will look toward the future. During the coming weeks I would like to discuss the concept of fair trade and present a number of people and organizations who are passionate about creating opportunity for all the world’s citizens, from miners in Namibia to women who weave hand-woven fabrics in Northern India to tea farmers in the Himalayas.
I hope that you enjoy this blog and that you find it informative and interesting. Please join the discussion and leave plenty of comments! If you disagree, feel free to let me know that as well.
Next up: what is ethics? And how is it connected to economics? A case study of Zambia.
