Up and running...

Finally things seem to be slowing down. I have let everyone who needs to know that I don't live in Darlington anymore and my computer is working and Christian Aid (fish) seem to have got my email working again... As a result of all that, I've just had chance to read John's comment from last weeks post about buying nothing;

"Wasting money is unChristian, of course, but I'm hesitant to participate in Buy Nothing Day. When we buy good or services, we purchase them from poor people (at somewhere in the chain of production) who will lack because of our decision not to buy their stuff."

"This special day is well intentioned, of course. But I'm wary of the unintended consequences."

I'm afraid I don't buy that for three main reasons;

1. In general, I do not think that products and services sold in the west benefit developing nations. Okay there may be a short term benefit, but what about the bigger picture. For example, HSBC (soon to be my ex-bank) move their call centre out to the far-east, creating lots of jobs, for lots of educated people. But essentially these are dead end jobs that attract over-qualified employees who might otherwise have been able to invest their time in a career that would result in the development of their homeland.
2. I also find this argument difficult because it fails to differentiate between those organisations that are ethical and those that are not. Though saying that I guess the whole notion of Buy Nothing Day similarly negates the fact that fair-trade does benefit the developing world and instead focuses on the evils of consumerism.
3. Finally, even though it may have negative consequences, I do think there comes a point in every social movement when boycotting is appropriate and I think the Make Poverty History campaign is getting close to that point. Sooner or later alongside the chipping away (which is grinding some down but sadly not others) a more radical approach may very well be necessary. In the short-term that might have negative consequences on the developing world, but if it redresses the scales of justice, then perhaps that is a decision we must take.

Just booked tickets to watch The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe tomorrow night. Can't wait, but can anything really live up to the wonder of the BBC series???

Comments

[John]

I don't completely agree, but I see your point.

At least, one should make an effort on that day -- if not everyday -- to buy from socially responsible companies. That's why every now and then I buy Domino's greasy, tasteless pizza.

[andi]

Am I missing something? Isn't the point of 'Buy nothing day' not so much a comment on the type of our consumtion as much as a comment on its very nature ie: we are no longer defined as producers but as mere consumers, slaves to an economic form which assumes the identity of deity. Our identity, our being, our stature, our very ability to participate in modern society is determined not by our inherent worth but by our capacity to consume. 'I shop therefor I am' is sadly so much more than a t shirt gimmick, and even if we don't know it the bastions of wealth who perpetuate our slavery certainly do. I,for one, find that deeply unnerving. If buy nothing day takes us a little bit closer to the sabbath then a little more unfashionable, deliberate, discipline might just be our saviour.