Fair trade is something that is very close to my heart. I have become aware of the importance of fair trade since studying Peace and Development for the past three years, and there was one event in particular that helped me realize how deeply connected fair trade is to development. Coffee growers came to my university in Sweden and shared stories about their life in Nicaragua and how dependent they are on the money that they make from fair trade. Without that money, their business would not survive. This was three years ago, and ever since that lecture, I have started buying more food labeled fair trade. And even though I know part of the reason why I decide to spend that extra money is because it makes me feel good about myself, I also feel that I am doing something good for somebody else. That money is not a big deal for me but could help change the life for the better for somebody else across the world. I do realize that it is unrealistic to ask people to only buy fair trade goods, but if everybody would choose one item of food (coffee or milk for instance) and spend a little more money on making it fair trade, I believe it would make a huge difference.

This is hard to admit, but I am also aware of the fact that some of my actions might be considered hypocritical. Animal rights have always been very important to me, and I have thought about becoming a vegetarian for many years. My only reason for not doing so yet is that I am terrible cook and would not now what food to make, which would probably result in nutrient shortage of some sort. Therefore, until I learn how to cook proper vegetarian meals, I buy meat that is organic since it gives me the somewhat satisfying feeling that the animals at least had a decent life until they ended up on my plate. The expression “capitalism with a smiley face” is applicable here, and the phrase “the worst slave owners were those who were kind to their slaves” also feels appropriate. Instead of buying “good” meat, I should quit eating meat all together and simply not be a part of the system.

In my opinion, Zizek is absolutely right when he is talking about “egoist consumption” and how guilt affects us when it comes to our purchases. However, I would feel hypocritical not buying fair trade goods since it is so closely linked to what I am studying. Peace and development studies are all about making the world a better place, and if I can do so by spending a little bit of extra money, then so be it. I believe that most people have the possibility to make minor changes in their daily life in order to make the world a little bit better. If I can do it as a poor student, so can you. For me, it is simply about prioritization. But how do YOU feel about spending more money on fair trade products? Is it worth it? How much are you willing to spend? And would you consider yourself an “egoist consumer”?

by Erika Selander Edström