I'm very interested in this topic but more from the point of economic theory. To this end I wonder if you came across this site http://www.fairtradefederation.c...on.com/ mft.html and the nice article comparing free and fair trade at http://www.aworldconnected.org/a...?id=560& print=1.

I should thank you for raising the topic of fair trade, to me it must be juxtaposed to free trade - debate about the benefits of free trade (and about if fair trade is even viable) is increasingly necessary in this globalised "tradey" world we live, move and spend in.

I'll check the Indonesian fair trade sites you mention but I really do wonder if these businesses will all disappear one day like the hippied Ecology party you once supported. I mean, just trying to internally redistribute income in a place like Indonesia is hard enough, let alone do it externally via fair international trade.
mr snag | "March 13, 2006, 5:53 pm" | #

Oh, ye of little faith, Mr. Snag, at least regards the redistribution of 'wealth'. .

And if you check my link for the Ecology Party, you'll see that it's actually for the Green Party who've done remarkably well for themselves (and society) since I left them and came out here.

Ta for the links. I was swamped for choice, given that worldwide the Fair Trade 'movement' is now worth mega bucks. So much so that the major British supermarkets have special sections for the produce.
Jakartass | Homepage | "March 13, 2006, 10:00 pm" | #

This link may interest you: A Flores Fairtrade Network:
http://riot.typepad.com/fairtrade/
Indonesia Anonymus | Homepage | "March 14, 2006, 1:00 am" | #

Thanks again for your wisdom. Regards Ecology party and Green Party I note the historical link but I dare say the Green Party would consider the Ecology Party's platform rather passe.

One other point is the difference between goals of redistribution of income and wealth. I think along the lines of the former only. The latter seems more problematic.

As for your point about British supermarkets that's absolutely great -should it remain so - but yes I am cynical - I fear that such a phenomenon will, unfortunately, go the way that the original "health food" shops went i.e. so commercial and exploititative.
mr snag | "March 14, 2006, 10:33 am" | #

way to go, jakartass! sorry i couldn't give you more links directly...but i think you did a wonderful job researching maybe via International Fair Trade Assoc. I knew the few you mentioned, and there are a few others who don't have websites/links. I'm impressed about the last few of your posts! the green in you is out again finally... Thank you for mentioning me, thanks a lot.

if you'd like to boycott Starbucks in Jakarta esp. I have a friend in LA by the name of GreenLAGirl who does "full time" challenging Starbucks and her followers are worldwide. Take a look:
http://www.greenlagirl.com/

she wrote posts that are very convincing, well-researched, challenging to Starbucks and Fair Trade movement in general. whoever asked the questions fair trade vs free trade earlier, read her...that question is so passe there. sorry i just pointed out what would my answers be in GreenLAGirl blog. I agree totally with her and jakartass here Bravo! 'til next time...
Maya | Homepage | "March 14, 2006, 10:19 pm" | #