4 ms·

I'm inclined to agree with pavs. I've done some traveling and living abroad, and it seems that these many other countries are in an industrial revolution stage

by bargl 13y ago

I'm inclined to agree with pavs. I've done some traveling and living abroad, and it seems that these many other countries are in an industrial revolution stage of development. For the USA that meant better working environments, hours, safety, and pay. Before these things were in place we had insufficient labor laws here too. The portion that I'm missing is that, here in the states our industrial revolution paid well enough for parents to provide a better standard of living for their children. Those children were able to do the same, and we increased the middle class. If that is what is going on in China then we should NOT stop purchasing good from them. Here are a few links from a quick online search. http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publications/food-and-water-crises/911-china-s-emerging-middle-class-challenges-and-opportunities.html http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publications/food-and-wat... http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/25/news/economy/china-middle-class/index.htm http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/25/news/economy/china-middle-cl... However, I think the OP being concerned about this is great, but you can't force change onto another culture nor should you. We can attempt to empower them to make the change, and be aware so that we aren't supporting the a workforce that is being sucked into a cycle of poverty.

betterunix 13y ago
"However, I think the OP being concerned about this is great, but you can't force change onto another culture nor should you" We can, however, stop buying products made in such dangerous factories, and make it clear why we are doing so. Why should we demand that factories in this country adhere to certain safety standards, then buy cheap goods from factories in other countries that do not adhere to the same standards?
- icebraining 13y ago
  We can, however, stop buying products made in such dangerous factories How do you know what factories are dangerous?
  - jacquesm 13y ago
    Regular inspections and certification.
    - icebraining 13y ago
      And how do western consumers get those done?
      - jacquesm 13y ago
        By demanding that western companies contracting work out in 3rd world countries get them done.
- bargl 13y ago
  My only problem with this idea is that by doing this we could stifle the progress that they are making at the cost of our own desire to push our ideals on them. Yes they need safety regulations, but that really does need to come from the Chinese workers. We should help them make those demands if they want but we shouldn't force it on them. I.E. Opening a site where workers can Chinese workers can complain about their working conditions (ratings) which then propagates those ratings to the products. We would use the product reference as a guide. But to force that upon them, in my mind, is wrong. It's hard to find the line between empowerment and external control. This is an issue many Americans had when donating to Haiti. They'd try to give an American fix and it didn't work because that's not what Haitians wanted or needed.

by bargl 13y ago

betterunix 13y ago

"However, I think the OP being concerned about this is great, but you can't force change onto another culture nor should you" We can, however, stop buying products made in such dangerous factories, and make it clear why we are doing so. Why should we demand that factories in this country adhere to certain safety standards, then buy cheap goods from factories in other countries that do not adhere to the same standards?

icebraining 13y ago
We can, however, stop buying products made in such dangerous factories How do you know what factories are dangerous?
- jacquesm 13y ago
  Regular inspections and certification.
  - icebraining 13y ago
    And how do western consumers get those done?
    - jacquesm 13y ago
      By demanding that western companies contracting work out in 3rd world countries get them done.
bargl 13y ago
My only problem with this idea is that by doing this we could stifle the progress that they are making at the cost of our own desire to push our ideals on them. Yes they need safety regulations, but that really does need to come from the Chinese workers. We should help them make those demands if they want but we shouldn't force it on them. I.E. Opening a site where workers can Chinese workers can complain about their working conditions (ratings) which then propagates those ratings to the products. We would use the product reference as a guide. But to force that upon them, in my mind, is wrong. It's hard to find the line between empowerment and external control. This is an issue many Americans had when donating to Haiti. They'd try to give an American fix and it didn't work because that's not what Haitians wanted or needed.