Exploitation, Empowerment, or Somewhere in Between?
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Fair Trade a Myth? Unmasking the International Division of Labor The global economy is a complex web of interconnectedness, with countries specialising in what they do best. This intricate system, known as the international division of labour (IDL), shapes trade patterns, development trajectories, and global power dynamics. Marxian analysis, with its focus on class struggle and unequal exchange, has long been a prominent tool for dissecting the IDL. Marx and the Power Disparity: A Valuable Lens Marxian scholars like Karl Marx identified inherent imbalances within the IDL, highlighting how core countries exploit cheaper labour in peripheral nations. This core-periphery model offers valuable insights into unequal exchange and uneven development, exposing the stark power dynamics at play. Take for example, the garment industry, where brands from developed countries source production from factories in developing nations. While these nations might benefit from job creation, concerns