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The Political Rationalities of Fair-Trade Consumption in the United Kingdom

Author

Listed:
  • Nick Clarke

    (University of Southampton, United Kingdom, n.clarke@soton.ac.uk)

  • Clive Barnett

    (Open University, United Kingdom, c.barnett@open.ac.uk)

  • Paul Cloke

    (University of Exeter, United Kingdom, p.cloke@exeter.ac.uk)

  • Alice Malpass

    (Academic Unit of Primary Health Care at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, a.malpass@bristol.ac.uk)

Abstract

This article situates the analysis of fair-trade consumption in the context of debates about civic activism and political participation. It argues that fair-trade consumption should be understood as a political phenomenon, which, through the mediating action of organizations and campaigns, makes claims on states, corporations, and institutions. This argument is made by way of a case study of Traidcraft, a key player in the fair-trade movement in the United Kingdom. The study focuses on how Traidcraft approaches and enrolls its supporters.

Suggested Citation

  • Nick Clarke & Clive Barnett & Paul Cloke & Alice Malpass, 2007. "The Political Rationalities of Fair-Trade Consumption in the United Kingdom," Politics & Society, , vol. 35(4), pages 583-607, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:polsoc:v:35:y:2007:i:4:p:583-607
    DOI: 10.1177/0032329207308178
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. repec:ilo:ilowps:357069 is not listed on IDEAS
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    7. Bacon, Christopher, 2005. "Confronting the Coffee Crisis: Can Fair Trade, Organic, and Specialty Coffees Reduce Small-Scale Farmer Vulnerability in Northern Nicaragua?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 497-511, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Irene C. Kamenidou & Spyridon A. Mamalis & Stavros Pavlidis & Evangelia-Zoi G. Bara, 2019. "Segmenting the Generation Z Cohort University Students Based on Sustainable Food Consumption Behavior: A Preliminary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, February.

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