Chapter 23, Maya Coffee Farmers, and Cobalt Pipeline

     Chapter 23 largely focuses on how global income inequality affects global markets.  In his explanation of the background of global income inequality, he explains that inequality has expanded far beyond an internal struggle.  I think the third of the three concept is the most important, as its unchanging is a good explanation for global inequality.  Individuals from different countries often don't have the same price levels in their respective nation-states.  Defining countries while adjusting for different price levels is important, as no two countries maintain the same price level for extended periods of time.

    The article on fair trade within the coffee farming community focuses on thee strengths and weaknesses of free trade.  One benefit in which stood out to me was that stable market access is involved in fair trade.  Stability in any sense is highly desired, but especially in this situation in which farmers are looking to make a good living.  However, usually these stable prices aren't beneficial enough to the farmers.  Long term contracts with roasters can lock in farmers, and they have no choice to stay with these longer term deals in order to still make an ounce of a living.

    The WP article highlights one of the parts of technology that almost nobody tends to think about.  Cobalt mining is quite a dangerous occupation, but its seen as necessary in order to run certain devices such as electric cars and smartphones.  The low pay is certainly concerning to me, because such a dangerous and necessary job should pay a substantial amount in theory.  The "creuseurs" must rely on basic tools as well, even though they're traveling dangerous lengths in order to acquire cobalt underground.  However, most creuseurs are desperate for the job anyway, despite only being paid $2-3 on a good day.