The No-Nonsense Guide to Fair Trade

The uproar at the World Trade Organization conference in Seattle focused attention on the conflict between the mainly western-owned global corporations and the poorer nations whose natural resources and cheap manpower sustain corporate profits, and who are also the unwilling purchasers of overpriced and inappropriate goods.

In this book David Ransom vividly reveals the realities of trade as experienced by coffee-growers in Central America or the workers making jeans in Bangladesh sweatshops. He examines the roles played by the WTO, UNCTAD, ILO, IMF, G7, and other powerful organisations hiding behind bland initials. Even when their motives are benevolent, he argues, their activities are often inadequate and misguided.

"David Ransom's book ? is a crucial part of the argument for trade with a different bottom line, and it's never been so important. That's why I'm delighted to commend it." ? Anita Roddick

David Ransom has been a co-editor of New Internationalist Magazine since 1989. His previous publications include Licence to Kill and, as editor, Eye to Eye Childhood.