This rather confused blog from the Adam Smith Institute makes me wonder if they know how markets work (odd given that’s their specialism). By inclination ASI is suspicious of Fairtrade and talk as if it interferes with the market. But that’s daft. The Fairtrade mark is simply a brand and is managed as such. Building brands – be they Fairtrade, Nescafé or Kenco – is a perfectly legitimate way to compete in a free market.
It falls to consumers to decide whether to pay extra for a name or a warm feeling or less for a budget brand. The brand’s value is decided upon by the market. So Fairtrade manipulates the market by exactly the same mechanism – competition – employed by Nestlé with Nescafé. I wonder if the Adam Smith Institute would extend its criticism to them.
When big boys get a conscience
Many businesses offer payment to those who link to them and paid-for links are often used here in preference to free links. While such links are not as obvious as other forms of pay-per-click advertising, they still don’t influence views expressed. Entries labelled ‘Reader Offer’ are advertising promotions. Current offers include:
ONSPEED mobile phone broadband internet.
Free bet on (or against) a White Christmas make a wish.
Amazon DVD rental online.
Poweriser 7090 velocity stilt run & jump like never before
easyWatch… easy watch… anyone? Goes well with Armani!
Bet on Big Brother FREE.
InterRail travel Europe by train.
Blockbuster DVD Rental online.
Thomson Holidays, Thomas Cook SALE, SALE, SALE
Hosiery: tights, stockings, socks, hold-ups buy online Trinny!
Subscribe
