The ‘fair trade’ movement and the European Union

Abstract

The European Union (the EU) is known for being economically liberal. It means that the EU believes in a free market where goods, services and people can cross freely the boarders. This is what is telling the treaties since the very beginning of the European communities construction (from 1951 onward). From the European Coal and Steel Community (1951/1952) and the free market of coal and steel to nowadays and the accomplishment of a whole process, free market economy has always been an objective to be achieved. While the economic part of the European unification (within the EU‟s framework) was going on, another economic construction was on its way as well. That was an economy where partnerships are based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. That contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers. That construction is the so-called „Fair Trade‟ movement. Between those two movements, which at first seem not to fit together, the main questions to be answered are as such: 1) Can we make any connections between them? 2) Are they any common goals and interests between them? and 3) If yes, how it is expressed on the political and social fields?