Global Trade and Cultural Survival

“The march of progress which seems so powerful and necessary will soon destroy the very resources it requires. We can either choose to abandon our current development strategies or we will be forced to change " (Forest Development the Indian Way 125).


Black Gold was a very informational movie on coffee and how the Ethiopian people are affected by this commodity, one that the majority of us including myself are at fault of drinking. Two billion cups are drunk globally every day. So many of us enjoy this commodity, but if like myself, have no idea of where it comes from, the process it takes to get from the producer to the consumer, and the cultures suffering from unfair trade. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and largest producer in Africa. Basically the Ethiopian people are dependent on the income they receive from coffee, however because they are unaware of the global market and one person controls their market, they are trapped and have no other choice than to accept this unfair price. Because so many people depend on their coffee’s income for survival, they cannot support themselves and their families, and this is resulting in poverty and a dependence on foreign aid.

In Chapter 11, Easter Island Civilization, environmental destructions occurred because social concerns took precedence over conservation. The people didn’t realize that they were running out of resources, out of food. There was a progressive deforestation which was hard to detect until it was too late. Easter Island’s situation connects to Black and Gold and all of us because we can learn from the fate of their society. We can learn from their mistakes, their failure to adapt to their environment, and make a better future for our own lives. Live more sustainability, take care of our environment, and be aware of our depleting resources.

In Chapter 13 on Forest Development the Indian Way, the Guarani Indian Village was described and it was discussed how even the most isolated cultures are influenced and somehow connected to foreign trade. These Indians lived a somewhat sustainable lifestyle; however they still depended on foreign trade for salt, soap, fish hooks, and machetes. Their lifestyle however was much different than current lifestyles and cultures. It was sustainable. They had developed a way to mine the forest for its wealth without destroying the resources on which they depend. The reading focuses on the importance and benefits of sustainability and how it differs from conventional strategies in several important respects. First of all, it recognizes that the resources are finite and protects those resources even as they benefit from them. The sustainable development emphasizes the relationship between economic, ecological, and social systems, striving to protect the integrity of all three. Lastly, sustainable development promotes social stability by distributing the benefits and raising the standard of living of all people (Forest Development the Indian Way 125-126). Despite their emphasis on sustainability, they cannot avoid the intrusion of outsiders taken over their land, continuing to deplete their resources they are so dependent on for survival.

What I would like to connect from this reading to Black Gold, is the Indian’s dependence on the patroness in order to survive. Because they were displaced from their farms and forced to buy their foods, the patrons’ inflated prices on the food and goods affected the Indians greatly. This dependence caused the Guarani Indians to suffer greatly, and also become disconnected from their own cultural practices and values of traditional social organization. Just as the Guarani Indians are dependent on the patrons, the Ethiopian people are dependent on foreign trade for their survival. 15 million people are dependent on coffee for survival. Because they are completely dependent on the income from their coffee, and they are basically getting screwed by these developed countries, they too are suffering. There is no competition and they aren’t receiving a fair price for their coffee, but they have no other choice. They can no longer provide and support for their families, their health is declining, and they cannot afford for their children to get an education. As stated in the movie, 7 million people in Ethiopia are dependent on emergency food aid every year.

The reading from Chapter 17 on Malawi Versus the World Bank discusses the purpose of these policies and how they are problematic and causing such human suffering rather than the positive growth anticipated. The whole purpose for policies from the Washington Consensus, from both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank is to bring about basic economic reform in poor nations, rapidly moving their economies in the basic direction of capitalism and incorporation into the global marketplace. In order for countries to receive a loan from the IMF there are certain requirements that leave these cultures no choice than to turn to the global market and capitalism.

Malawi is an example of how poor countries suffer from such policies. Malawi is one of the poorest nations in the world. Their survival depends on the production of the crop maize (corn). However, this crop does such damage to the soil, that in order to get the maximum production, commercial fertilizer high in nitrogen is required. However because of fertilizer subsidies and regulations imposed by the Washington Consensus, this led to a huge food shortage and poverty. Overall, this reading discusses how the Washington Consensus needs to be reconfigured when it comes to public investment in African Agriculture.

This chapter connects to Black Gold when relating to subsidies and how world trade is unfair. How what is valued in one culture is not valued in another, and how world grade requires finding a common ground. But how do we define this common ground, common price, and value when every culture has different values and finds value in different things? Additionally, when regarding subsidies, the poor countries such as Ethiopia cannot afford to put subsidies on their crops, coffee specifically. This is why world trade is so unfair. Also in the Malawi tribe, because of the subsidies placed on fertilizer, they were not able to afford it. There crop then declined, as did their living conditions and overall well-being. Both cultures are again dependent on industrialized nations and are suffering greatly.

Based on the readings and video, the relationship between environmental sustainability, economic development, and human health is that as economic development increases, human health suffers. Growth, expansion, and progress are what our world revolves around. Progress is our way of life, our purpose; sometimes we are so focused on this overall goal, that we don’t take into consideration the earth we’re living on and the people we share it with. This has led to the decline in human health and the vast amount of global poverty. This has also led to environmental degradation. Our environment is suffering and lifestyles that used to be sustainable are no longer valuable and becoming less common. However, as our resources are shrinking we have no other choice than to turn again to a more sustainable way of living.

There are many things anthropologists can do in assisting cultures and dealing with economic development, environmental sustainability, and human health. Anthropologists may conduct government program evaluations, work on forest conservation projects, market or advertise products, staff rural development programs, establish foreign offices for on governmental organizations or corporations, or advise hospital staff. Medical anthropology is a common branch of anthropology that is greatly applied. It is the study of human health in a variety of cultural and environmental contexts. Medical anthropologists in Malawi were making a difference by designing and testing a locally sustainable approach to alleviating infant and child malnourishment. Anthropologists can also help shape programs to fit local conditions and help with cross-cultural communication.

I do not think that cultural survival is possible with economic development. Few cultures have survived the ravages of colonial and economic expansion. Those that have seem destined to become victims of “progress.” At the rate that economic development is occurring and the increased dependency undeveloped and third world countries have on industrial nations, cultural independence and values are being violated and exploited.
The isolated and protected cultures that are left are being taken over by the rest of the world. Just as the Guarani Indians’ land is now being taken over and vandalized by colonos for commercial development. As their resources disappear, so does the economy of the once self-sufficient Guarani. And without their traditional way of subsidence, it has become impossible to maintain their kin-organized society, the influence of the tamoi, and the willingness to share. Inevitably, the whole world will soon become a victim to foreign trade and capitalism. The whole idea of always wanting more, needing more, growth, growth growth. What we have is never enough. As our population continues to grow, especially at the rate it’s at now, and as we continue to think this way, our resources continue to shrink. We are becoming desperate for these resources and dependent on them for survival. Because of economic development, cultures that were once independent and sustainable no longer have access to their resources, and are being forced to move, depend on outer societies and foreign trade, and are losing sight of their values, traditions, and original sense of culture all together.