ptitpiotre

This is long, carefully researched and well written book about the history, geography, culture, politics and trade in cotton and cotton textiles in particular and trade in general. The author gives an excellent overview of how politics, culture and money interact to create complex trade policies in US and around the world. Although a cotton T-shirt is the last thing you would expect governments and interest groups to fight over, it is surprising to find the number of lives it affects. It is fascinating to know how difficult it is to grow cotton; and how the US (a proponent of capitalism and free trade) has some of the most restrictive trade barriers in order to favor a particularly small constituency of voters. The fact that a T-shirt can serve not only as an item of clothing but also as a developmental aid for poor economies, a status symbol for the wearer; and a means of livelihood for thousands of people, points to the complexities of globalization and trade. The author does a good job of presenting the facts and history behind some issues, but does not give a very strong personal opinion about the whole thing. It is a must read for someone interested in economics, trade, globalization as well as human rights.

2023-07-19 17:16