Robert Gelber
Integrative Seminar 300
Professor Duclos Alegue
April 28th, 2011
Abstract: Many countries, industries and people are becoming more affected by sweatshops in different ways because of they’re continuous increase in growth. Sweatshops benefit many developing countries as they provide opportunities of employment to the people living in poverty and benefit the community at large by creating an economic infrastructure that utilizes the country’s resources and increases their tax base. These institutions first came into existence in the early 1800’s and were referred to as dwelling houses, which were local factories that generally had the same idea of the sweatshop that we have in today’s society. There are major benefits for corporations and third world countries with sweatshops as they bring in huge profits and provide employment for millions of people without a job, which ultimately drive down the unemployment rate. It’s been interesting researching the benefits and disadvantages of sweatshops, as society may very well be better off with them then without these institutions.
Keywords: Sweatshops, developing countries, unemployment, tenement houses, exploitation
Sweatshops benefit many developing countries as they provide opportunities of employment to the people living in poverty and benefit the community at large by creating an economic infrastructure that utilizes the country’s resources and increases their tax base. Although sweatshops have often been viewed as negative entities, they actually benefit more than hurt these communities as they provide its workers with an income enabling them to afford life’s basic necessities increase their standard of living and provide an education their children. Without the employment opportunities these sweatshops provide, many would remain jobless, living in substandard living conditions unable to provide the basic for their families and perpetuating the endless cycle of poverty
Cited: http://atlismta.org/online-journals/0506-journal-government-and-the-rights-of-individuals/sweatshops/. Retrieved March 22, 2007 Arnold, D and Bowie, N (2003). Sweatshops and Respect for Persons. Business Ethics Quarterly, 13(2), 221-242. Retrieved from http://jstor.com Hapke, L. (2001). A Shop is Not Home: Nineteenth-Century American Sweatshops Discourse. American Nineteenth Century Journal, (2), 47-55. Retrieved from http://ebscohost.com Meyers, C. (2004). Wrongful Beneficence: Exploitation and third world Sweatshops. Journal of Social Philosophy, 35(3), 319-333. Retrieved from http://ebscohost.com Radin, T and Calkins, M. (2006). The Struggle against Sweatshops: Moving toward Responsible Global Business. Journal of Business Ethics, 66(2/3), 261-272. Retrieved from http://jstor.com Snyder, J. (2008). Needs Exploitation. Ethical Theory & Moral Practice, 11(4), 389-405. Retrieved from http://ebscohost.com Stopford, J (1998-1999). Multinational Corporations. Foreign Policy, (113), 12-24. Retrieved from http://jstor.com Miller, B (2004). Globalization, Sweatshops and Glocal Organizing. Antipode, 36(4), 575-585. Retrived from http://ebscohost.com Tabb, W. (2005) Sweated Labor Then and Now. International Labor and Working Class History, Inc., (67), 164-173. Retrieved from http://jstor.com Wilson, A. A Dirty History of Discrimination and Ignorance. Retrieved March 22, 2007