Black Gold, The Ethiopian Coffee Farmers

People around the world consume numerous goods every day. There are several things that determine what quantities and how frequently they are consumed and those influences can either work in tandem or act individually to influence a person. It is these foundations that set an average for what consumers will purchase and the volume of goods to be created by agriculturalists and industrialists. This is known as economic consumption patterns, and these patterns are carefully studied by economists. With the data that they glean from this assessment economists can then use that information to provide the economy with data

In her piece, “Why Global Inequality Matters,” Nancy Birdsall argues that global inequality is an issue because it can negatively affect the social life, the political process and the economy of countries (especially developing ones). She looks at “how global integration affects poor versus rich countries (and people within countries), and on the resulting limits to poor countries’ (and poor people’s) ability to capture the potential benefits of globalization.” In order to argue her point further, she expounds on why global inequality matters and explores the possible role that globalization may have in perpetuating global inequality. Inequality matters, especially in developing countries with already weak institutions, because it may runs “the risk

Finally, global economic issues have an immense influence on the world of coffee. Throughout history there has been a pattern that coffee producing countries are economically worse off than those that are consuming the coffee. Pendergrast mentions that “in 1950 the average income in consuming countries was three times that of coffee-growing nations. By the late 1960s it was five times great” (270). With that said, many producing coffee countries were facing endemics and malnourished peoples because workers were receiving absurdly low wages thus placing them into poverty and human suffering (271). Specifically, although 90 percent of El Salvador’s exports consisted of coffee in the 1930s, they agonized from “‘low wages, incredible filth…[under] conditions in fact not far removed from slavery’” (168). Global economic issues of these producing countries lead to dictators easily gaining power such as those in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras (170). Not only was politics a matter that resulted from global economic issues, “the high interest rates from financial institutions and price [squeezes]” lead to the economic struggle of farmers like those from Colombia due to

The documentary Black Gold, is about the world coffee market and an Ethiopian fair trade cooperative. Ethiopia being the birthplace of coffee is the largest producer of coffee in the world, producing some of the highest quality of coffee beans in the world, like Harar, Yuban and Sidamo types of coffee. The significant problems pointed out in this documentary show what is wrong in the global trading system. Mainly, while most of us continue have our lattes and specialty coffees, the amount paid to the Ethiopian coffee farmers is so low that a lot of them have been forced to chop down some of their coffee fields and rely on other crops to help them survive. The Ethiopian people are malnourished; they have no clean water, no healthcare, and no schools for their families. As quoted in the film, “They are living hand to mouth”.

Statistics show that over half of the American population consumes coffee on a daily basis. You may drink coffee hot, cold, mixed, or even in a frappuccino. Individuals are able to make coffee at home, or buy it on the go. Coffee provides people with caffeine, which ultimately gives energy for hardworking people all around the world. The main focus for this paper will cover the following topics, with coffee as the basis: causes for shifts in supply and demand, how coffee supply and demand influence price, quantity,

Have you ever had the conversation, is it right to kill someone for punishment? Even though espionage, murder, and assault are all ruinous acts, the death penalty is necessary for us to keep law and order. Some major points on this are the history of death penalty, the facts of death penalty, and people's view on death penalty. Other countries have different methods of carrying out capital punishment than the United States of America. When the beheading of guillotine was introduced in France it was a way of executing traitors or using it as capital punishment (Issues and Controversies in American History).

The treatments for eating/consumption disorder include such things as counseling, education and medication. Find out what treatment(s) works for them. Eating/consumption disorder treatment(s) depends on the particulars of the disorder as well as the symptoms. It typically includes a combination of psychotherapy counseling, nutritional education, medical monitoring and sometimes even medications.

The price of commercial coffee is controlled by the New York and London exchange markets where they decide the prices of coffee(Francis, 2006). Most of the buyers and seller that deal in the trading of coffee usually look at the New York market to make their decisions on the prices. Also the World Trade Organization is involved in controlling trade of commercial coffee, but these decisions and the way stuff is traded is controlled by developed nation and small undeveloped countries in Africa have to say or voice in

The film highlights the fact that coffee is the most valued word commodity, second to oil. The beginning of the film shows the process in which coffee is made- from bean harvesting by workers in Ethiopia who make next to nothing, through several intermediated stages, and into the market. Although we spend countless amounts of money on coffee without thinking twice, the price that coffee farmers who produce this commodity are getting paid, is disgustingly low. Some of them have even been forced to walk away from their fields. There is no better place to see this

GMCR’s warns of the potential impact of the price of coffee on the gross profit margin. To combat this, GMCR had made a number of purchase commitments to ensure an adequate supply of coffee (GMCR Annual Report, 2010). The market price for coffee is impacted by numerous factors including weather, economy, and competition. It is vital that GMCR continue to take proactive measures to secure against unforeseen spikes in coffee prices. The price of coffee does not only impact GMCR’s ability produce coffee for the Keurig brewer under its namesake but impacts their partner suppliers as well. GMCR purchases coffee from brokers, farms, estates, and cooperative groups and essentially diversifies its coffee supply, reducing some supply risk (GMCR Annual Report, 2010).

Fair Trade Coffee Fair Trade promotes socially and environmentally sustainable techniques and long-term relationships between producers, traders and consumers The world coffee industry is in crisis. A flood of cheap, lower-quality coffee beans have pushed world market prices down to a 30-year low. Many now earn less for their crop than it cost them to grow. Many coffee farmers around the world receive market payments that are lower than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debtWithout urgent action, 25 million coffee growers' face ruin.

In regards to the company Starbucks, their cost of production includes the cost of coffee beans, milk, plastic products, advertising, rent and labor. When it comes to the high price of Starbucks coffee customers should consider the cost of what goes into the coffe, Howard Schultz said “I am concerned about dairy, both domestically and around the world, and we are working feverishly with our suppliers, (and to) identify new suppliers (Thomnson, R. 2014). When it comes to the price of coffee, “prices recently hit a two-year high due to crop-damaging drought in Brazil, the top producer” (Thomnson, R. 2014). This has a huge impact on the price consumers pay for their coffee.

Throughout the world, people have mental disorders affecting their lives in negative ways. I plan on aiding as many individuals as I can by becoming a psychiatrist. Although it is a stressful job, I am optimistic that I will be able to succeed as a helper of the people. There have been many occurrences in my life that have led me to the path of therapy. I chose psychiatry instead of other occupations to give me the ability to help out the community as well. I have felt the calling to dedicate my life to helping others that need it.

This gives us a clear understanding of society’s role in the production and consumption of the beverage, and the important role each one plays. Coffee is consumed around the world, but the wealthy nations consume far more than anyone else, even than the countries which produce the coffee. Functionalism advocates moral consensus, which is the maintenance of equality within society. In the case of coffee though, the wealthy countries have completely forgotten about equality and often economically oppress the countries which produce the coffee. People within these wealthy countries simply demand their coffees and have forgotten about the lengthy process coffee takes to get to them. In the functionalism of coffee, everyone plays an important part and it’s possible the disappearance of one group can lead to the collapse of the whole chain. Yet coffee has led to divisions being created as well as conflicts arising, all due to the wealthy and powerful creating policies that only benefit them and their associates. Functionalists stress to people to understand everyone’s importance within society, and to oppose those who seek to create social ranks.

In bargaining power of suppliers, the interest for coffee is high in worldwide level and espresso beans can be produced just in certain geographical zones. Also, the issues connected with African espresso producers being dealt with unjustifiably by multinational organizations are generally determined with the endeavors of different non-government associations, and this is helping the expanding bargaining force of suppliers.