Want to influence China? Forget Olympic Torch Protests!

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China’s power today is driven by economics first and foremost. Want to lead the charge, make a difference, influence their human rights policy? Forget the Olympics, forget Olympic Torch protests. The Olympics are symbolic, and while as a Buddhist, I certainly acknowledge and applaud any attention given to the plight of Tibet, protests will accomplish very little in the long run.

Want to really make a change?

Every time you go to the store, check to see where a product is made. If you have a choice between goods made in China and any other nation (and you may not), buy the product made somewhere else as often as you can.

Commit today to buy 25% fewer goods made in China, and 25% more goods made in the USA or other countries that support the human rights initiatives you value.

Economic power made the giant, and economic power can change its course on human rights – but only if you have the will as a consumer to vote with your wallet, no matter how great the sale is.

Politics

Comments

14 responses to “Want to influence China? Forget Olympic Torch Protests!”

April 8, 2008

~bc

Amen.

Reply
April 8, 2008

~bc

Amen.

Reply
April 8, 2008

Carlos

Hi Chris,
It’s Carlos from BinaryStarCAST.
You are usually RIGHT ON with your blogs, but this one is RIGHT ON PLUS TWO.
However, I believe that it will take more than just the street level consumer to get their attention. US government policy towards trading and borrowing from China has to change as well. Right now we are chummy with China as a nation, so they can continue to run rampant and nothing will change. No amount of lead in toys or poison in toothpaste will change that.

Reply
April 8, 2008

Carlos

Hi Chris,
It’s Carlos from BinaryStarCAST.
You are usually RIGHT ON with your blogs, but this one is RIGHT ON PLUS TWO.
However, I believe that it will take more than just the street level consumer to get their attention. US government policy towards trading and borrowing from China has to change as well. Right now we are chummy with China as a nation, so they can continue to run rampant and nothing will change. No amount of lead in toys or poison in toothpaste will change that.

Reply
April 8, 2008

georgeradio

I agree with you, directing the protests to the Torch is an exercise in futility.
We already agreed to award China the Olympics, that was the decision to be argued on.
As for your solution, many of us are already doing that. Still, many times the MADE IN CHINA label is without the reach of the poor consumer, stuck on the little inner components of the nice/cool/little gadget you just bought. That’s the nature of the monster -)

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April 8, 2008

georgeradio

I agree with you, directing the protests to the Torch is an exercise in futility.
We already agreed to award China the Olympics, that was the decision to be argued on.
As for your solution, many of us are already doing that. Still, many times the MADE IN CHINA label is without the reach of the poor consumer, stuck on the little inner components of the nice/cool/little gadget you just bought. That’s the nature of the monster -)

Reply
April 8, 2008

Steve Loopipe

This is a noble idea, but it’s nearly impossible to achieve, once you start digging deeper. Most products that don’t say “Made in China” are only assembled outside of China, but what about the component parts? If you buy widget A instead of widget B because widget A was made in the US and widget B was made in China, but widget A is made entirely of parts that were made in China, are you really helping anything?

Here’s a good article on one person who tried: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21825517

I’m not entirely sure what the answer is, but I think this is one case where it’s going to be very difficult for even a large percentage of consumers to effectively make a difference. That’s not to say that it’s not worth trying, but just realize that what you’re suggesting is much more difficult than it seems on the surface.

Reply
April 8, 2008

Steve Loopipe

This is a noble idea, but it’s nearly impossible to achieve, once you start digging deeper. Most products that don’t say “Made in China” are only assembled outside of China, but what about the component parts? If you buy widget A instead of widget B because widget A was made in the US and widget B was made in China, but widget A is made entirely of parts that were made in China, are you really helping anything?

Here’s a good article on one person who tried: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21825517

I’m not entirely sure what the answer is, but I think this is one case where it’s going to be very difficult for even a large percentage of consumers to effectively make a difference. That’s not to say that it’s not worth trying, but just realize that what you’re suggesting is much more difficult than it seems on the surface.

Reply
April 9, 2008

Charles French

I couldn’t agree more. I try to avoid products made in China when and where I can. When I buy clothes I read the label if it says made in China I don’t care how nice it looks, what a great deal it is or anything other than that it’s made in a country run by an oppressive regime; and I put it down.

I’ve also noticed recently that lots of things like packs of sock or underwear have a sticker on them saying “Made in Korea” rather than just being in the small print on the back these products are clearly stating not made in China.

Reply
April 9, 2008

Charles French

I couldn’t agree more. I try to avoid products made in China when and where I can. When I buy clothes I read the label if it says made in China I don’t care how nice it looks, what a great deal it is or anything other than that it’s made in a country run by an oppressive regime; and I put it down.

I’ve also noticed recently that lots of things like packs of sock or underwear have a sticker on them saying “Made in Korea” rather than just being in the small print on the back these products are clearly stating not made in China.

Reply
April 9, 2008

Karl Bimshas

Chris, I was reading your thoughts on China and reflecting on it this morning. Certainly anything we do on the street level is better that not doing anything. I tend to agree with some comments that the economic pull and the willingness the American consumer has can take a long time to affect change. People are well intentioned but have trouble passing up a bargain. As with most dilemmas, there’s not one easy answer, yet your post got me thinking.

The enemy of change is not economic, but informational. Finding a way for the oppressed people of China to tell their side of the story and share information on a broader scale seems to be a more compelling task. Really, it’s a marketing job; educating those in the world who are still unaware to become aware, posing questions that make people consider alternatives and explore their preferences i.e. a China that is free of flagrant human rights violations versus the status quo.

The core issue is helping open up a still closed society. Nothing does that better with greater accessibility than the constant stream of new media and spreading the word through those channels. Not only does it give an outlet for people to share their stories, fears and desire for change, it’s a persuasive way to bring others into the fold of conversational marketing.

So although your economic suggestion helps us feel better and raises personal consciousness and discipline; I would add if you are blogging, podcasting, and actively engaged in other social media, consider helping spread the word and provide an outlet for the voices that are still only whispers in the international village.

Reply
April 9, 2008

Karl Bimshas

Chris, I was reading your thoughts on China and reflecting on it this morning. Certainly anything we do on the street level is better that not doing anything. I tend to agree with some comments that the economic pull and the willingness the American consumer has can take a long time to affect change. People are well intentioned but have trouble passing up a bargain. As with most dilemmas, there’s not one easy answer, yet your post got me thinking.

The enemy of change is not economic, but informational. Finding a way for the oppressed people of China to tell their side of the story and share information on a broader scale seems to be a more compelling task. Really, it’s a marketing job; educating those in the world who are still unaware to become aware, posing questions that make people consider alternatives and explore their preferences i.e. a China that is free of flagrant human rights violations versus the status quo.

The core issue is helping open up a still closed society. Nothing does that better with greater accessibility than the constant stream of new media and spreading the word through those channels. Not only does it give an outlet for people to share their stories, fears and desire for change, it’s a persuasive way to bring others into the fold of conversational marketing.

So although your economic suggestion helps us feel better and raises personal consciousness and discipline; I would add if you are blogging, podcasting, and actively engaged in other social media, consider helping spread the word and provide an outlet for the voices that are still only whispers in the international village.

Reply
April 10, 2008

Rachael Hampton

I agree with you, plus I am a buddiste as well.

Reply
April 10, 2008

Rachael Hampton

I agree with you, plus I am a buddiste as well.

Reply