In grade-school civics class, we were all told that we, as citizens, are the government. We were told that a democracy such as ours is a collection of individuals who freely enter into a social contract to pool our combined wealth and energies to promote the general welfare of all.
Along life’s path, we have been disabused of that civics-class notion as it relates to our federal government, but that seed of an idea, planted firmly in the democratic soil of our minds flourishes in other parts of our lives. I believe this is one reason we are a nation of joiners – we believe that by becoming a part of an organization, we can make our voices heard within that organization.
A particularly mercantile expression of this idea is the co-operative purchasing association, or co-op. A collection of individuals who join together to increase their purchasing power. Democracy in action, plus bargains. Who can resist?
I’m a member of one of the larger co-ops, Recreational Equipment Incorporated, or REI. It’s a great place to get equipment for camping, climbing and hiking. REI is a hugely successful co-op, growing by leaps and bounds. That huge growth may be at the root of my current problem. A number of co-op members at REI are distressed that REI is buying more and more of its merchandise from the People’s Republic of China. While Chinese merchandise may come cheap, there are currencies dearer than cash. There is the environmental, cultural and political extinction of Tibet. There are forced labor camps and prison factories. There is the suppression of democratic dialogue. And there are still ghosts in Tianamen Square.
For these reasons many REI members, myself among them, are disturbed by the sale of Chinese products at our co-op and we are petitioning our board of directors to sever REI’s ties with China. Perhaps this is a small gesture on the scale of global politics, but it is born of a faith that we are involved in a mercantile democracy and that our voices will be heard.
That may not be the case. Recent newspaper reports indicate our voices are not being heard and our mercantile democracy is beginning to grow the deaf ears of federal governments the world over. The newspaper reported REI’s board of directors feels doing business with the People’s Republic will do more to bring democracy to China than economic isolation. In taking this position, the REI directors have either forgotten or perhaps never learned the lesson learned in South Africa’s political transformation. Economic sanctions work, and should be applied.
In deciding to trade with China, the directors of REI are following the path of least resistance and greatest profits. Our federal government, also over the protests of citizens, has granted and continues to grant Most Favored Nation trading status to China. REI follows the governments lead.
No one is an island. China suppresses democracy at home, occupies a sovereign nation in Tibet and uses forced labor to compete on the world market. The U.S. and U.S. companies like REI drown cries of dissidence in pursuit of those forced-labor goods. The loss of democracy in China is directly linked to the loss of democracy at REI.
Mercantile Democracy
In grade-school civics class, we were all told that we, as citizens, are the government. We were told that a democracy such as ours is a collection of individuals who freely enter into a social contract to pool our combined wealth and energies to promote the general welfare of all.
Along life’s path, we have been disabused of that civics-class notion as it relates to our federal government, but that seed of an idea, planted firmly in the democratic soil of our minds flourishes in other parts of our lives. I believe this is one reason we are a nation of joiners – we believe that by becoming a part of an organization, we can make our voices heard within that organization.
A particularly mercantile expression of this idea is the co-operative purchasing association, or co-op. A collection of individuals who join together to increase their purchasing power. Democracy in action, plus bargains. Who can resist?
I’m a member of one of the larger co-ops, Recreational Equipment Incorporated, or REI. It’s a great place to get equipment for camping, climbing and hiking. REI is a hugely successful co-op, growing by leaps and bounds. That huge growth may be at the root of my current problem. A number of co-op members at REI are distressed that REI is buying more and more of its merchandise from the People’s Republic of China. While Chinese merchandise may come cheap, there are currencies dearer than cash. There is the environmental, cultural and political extinction of Tibet. There are forced labor camps and prison factories. There is the suppression of democratic dialogue. And there are still ghosts in Tianamen Square.
For these reasons many REI members, myself among them, are disturbed by the sale of Chinese products at our co-op and we are petitioning our board of directors to sever REI’s ties with China. Perhaps this is a small gesture on the scale of global politics, but it is born of a faith that we are involved in a mercantile democracy and that our voices will be heard.
That may not be the case. Recent newspaper reports indicate our voices are not being heard and our mercantile democracy is beginning to grow the deaf ears of federal governments the world over. The newspaper reported REI’s board of directors feels doing business with the People’s Republic will do more to bring democracy to China than economic isolation. In taking this position, the REI directors have either forgotten or perhaps never learned the lesson learned in South Africa’s political transformation. Economic sanctions work, and should be applied.
In deciding to trade with China, the directors of REI are following the path of least resistance and greatest profits. Our federal government, also over the protests of citizens, has granted and continues to grant Most Favored Nation trading status to China. REI follows the governments lead.
No one is an island. China suppresses democracy at home, occupies a sovereign nation in Tibet and uses forced labor to compete on the world market. The U.S. and U.S. companies like REI drown cries of dissidence in pursuit of those forced-labor goods. The loss of democracy in China is directly linked to the loss of democracy at REI.
Never send to know for whom the bell tolls.