The United States' interpretation of capitalism influences the entire world. For better or for worse, our policies and actions of production and consumption fundamentally affect the world economy. Ultimately the United States' people influence the potential for environmental degradation and human rights violations within the production process.
One of the many joys of living in America is the liberalization of consumer goods. Though this produces a great selection of products, it also arguably disconnects the consumer from the producer. Because of this, Americans are too often ignorant of chains of responsibility. There is no government agency that can truly give all the facts of conception, procurement, production and shipment of all goods. We as consumers rely on watch-dog groups to provide information about goods. But really, people don't pay too much attention, at least not to a point that is influential enough.
If we are to be the leaders of democracy and defenders of freedom, shouldn't we spend our dollars to reinforce that cause? We have sent our countrymen to fight and die for our definition of democracy, but there seems to be no real urgency among our people to support other nations' abilities to provide living wages and empowerment to their people. The fact is that currently free trade has made it very easy for small developing nations to be exploited and corrupted. Around the world workers toil for long hours producing goods bound for the United States, the home of democracy. Struggling developing nations are forced to export mainly raw goods at low prices because of neo-liberalization techniques that bring down the price of goods and prevent secure investment in production capabilities.
Think about your life. Where do the trees come from that make the paper you print your academic pursuits on? Who physically makes the shirt that sports our prestigious university, many of which are sold for only a few dollars? One must wonder what those workers are thinking as they send out a shipment of Vietnamese-made American flags while struggling to support a life. If the United States and its citizens are willing to say they believe in democracy, then they should begin to exercise that willingness by understanding the total effects of capitalism. People who care about addressing major world problems must invest in things that promote complete well-being. Want to help the environment? Buy organic. Want to help your neighbor? Buy local. Want to help internationally? Buy fair trade. We are responsible for treating those whom we wish to do business with as we would want to be treated.
Ohio State claims that finding solutions to world problems is of highest concern. Perhaps the easiest way is to ensure we are supporting industries that promote such ideals. The university has no problem using top research such as Lonnie Thompson's to support the claim OSU is concerned with global climate change, but the fact of the matter is unless the university specifically changes consumption policies, this does little to bring the research full circle. Our university currently has no real idea of where the paper products used on campus come from. Companies that supply the university's paper products are well known to be loggers of endangered forests and exploiters of marginalized people. Destruction of these forests has not only led to the destruction of priceless habitat, but has also led to the violation of human rights against native peoples all over the world.
If OSU expects its students to move on with a globally responsible perspective there needs to be leadership of responsible capitalism. Demand the university practice what it preaches; make sure OSU purchases sustainability logged forest products. Check out
freetheplanetosu.org to find out what students are doing to challenge how the university does business.
Emily Ellis is a junior in geography and sociology. She can be reached at ellis.325@osu.edu.
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