The Ethics of Trade and Aid

Download or read book The Ethics of Trade and Aid written by Christopher D. Wraight and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2011-02-03 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: International development is now more topical than ever. Billions of dollars have been given in grants or spent on the infrastructure of the development industry. The global aid and trade industry is gigantic and high-profile. It is also hugely controversial. Trade deals are accused of being 'unfair'. Aid agencies are suspected of wasting funds, or engaging with corrupt regimes, or encouraging dependency. Despite the vast amounts of political capital spent on international development, it remains unclear what works and what doesn't. Global inequality remains stark. Economic analysis can help resolve some of these issues. But some of the questions raised are of a more fundamental nature. They are issues of fairness, equity, right and wrong. The Ethics of Trade and Aid demonstrates how political philosophy provides us with insights often passed over in modern development jargon. Christopher Wraight scrutinises the trade and aid industry through the lens of philosophy and ultimately shows that a compassionate, rational and humane engagement with the global economy does hold the promise of a better, more equal life.