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> “just don’t spend money there” is a bit reductionist and trivializes the problem of corporations with more power than nation-states. You're totally mistaken
by root_axis 7y ago
> “just don’t spend money there” is a bit reductionist and trivializes the problem of corporations with more power than nation-states.
You're totally mistaken if you believe that boycotts and the like aren't taken seriously by big companies, especially companies like Apple where the brand is more important than the product. Of course, it all depends on the size of the boycott, but it doesn't have to cost them millions to become a major problem.
- decoyworker 7y agoThey are seeking new revenue in the Chinese market. To them they see a minuscule boycott in the US as the cost of gaining that market- net positive.
- root_axis 7y agoThings aren't so black and white behind the scenes. Whether or not a boycott is "minuscule" isn't measured in dollars, it's how the brand is perceived and the second-order effects that perception creates.
- SmirkingRevenge 7y agoChina, through its own behavior in situations like these, makes its own market less attractive for companies and investors, though. You'd have to be crazy to see what is going on right now, and go all-in in with the market in China. The arbitrary power of the CPC over market access is a huge liability. Big companies may still want to do business in China, but they need stronger footholds in other markets to offset the risk.
- decoyworker 7y agoThat's true. The Chinese government could just decide they do not like you and you have no recourse whatsoever. Good point.
- m3kw9 7y agoNobody is gonna boycott something they use daily and depend on
- root_axis 7y agoIt is certainly conceivable that people could make a different choice next time they decide to buy a phone. Others that feel more strongly could switch right away.
- Faark 7y agoMaybe, if it were convenient to switch. But I've given up on believing in boycotts. E.g. People kept buying video games, no matter how shitty the business practice. Preoders, Lootboxes, Season Passes, Pay2Skip... all seemed to have made a ton of cash.
- bduerst 7y agoThey can and do when a substitute product exists.