Debate Worksheet

Is it the responsibility of the consumer to shop ethically?

Individually, your research should include at least:

1) One video supporting/ explaining your position (keep the link, you will need to paste it
into the exit slip later)
2) One website/article supporting your position (keep the links, you will need to paste them
into the exit slip later)
3) 1 question you have for the other team

While researching, you may want to answer the following questions:

- What does ethical consumption mean?
- Should we trust the companies we shop from to behave in an ethical way?
- Who benefits from this?
- Who is this harmful to?
- What is another perspective?
- What would be a counter argument?
- Where in the world would this be a problem?
- When will this benefit society?
- Why is this a problem/challenge?
- How do we see this in the future?

Once you have completed your research, meet up with the other students in your group.
Discuss your research findings and strengthen your argument as a team.

Assign a student in your group to each role

1. Opening statement Speaker (3 min)
2. Second Statement Speaker ( 2 min)
3. Third Statement Speaker (2 min)
4. Questions for the Opposition Speaker
5. Question Answering Speaker ( 2 min)
6. Second Question for the Opposition
7. Closing Statement Speaker (4 min)
 Yes, it is the consumer's responsibility to shop ethically.
Cheat Sheet

https://www.worldvision.ca/no-child-for-sale/resources/a-guide-to-ethical-consumerism

https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethical-consumerism

https://hbr.org/2015/01/ethical-consumerism-isnt-dead-it-just-needs-better-marketing

https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/6-insights-for-ethical-shopping

https://grantourismotravels.com/how-to-shop-ethically-and-sustainably/

https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-clothing

https://commetric.com/2019/11/29/consumer-activism-a-growing-threat-to-corporate-reputation/

- Corporate Social Responsibility

- Fair Trade + Rainforest Alliance
- There are lots of ethical options for consumers - shop local, learn to fix, buy second hand

No, it is not the consumer's responsibility to shop ethically.

Cheat Sheet

https://www.marxist.ca/article/why-there-is-no-ethical-consumption-under-capitalism

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/01/the-dilemma-of-ethical-
consumption-how-much-are-your-ethics-worth-to-you

https://thevalleyvanguard.com/2019/11/04/there-is-no-ethical-consumption-in-a-
capitalist-economy/

https://augsburgecho.com/2019/02/07/is-ethical-consumption-unattainable-under-
capitalism/

https://issiahk.org/blog/why-there-is-no-ethical-production-under-capitalism-.html

When looking for videos - it may be helpful to google “there is no ethical consumption
under capitalism”
 ● The major flaw in “ethical consumption” is the illusion that there is a more ethical option under
capitalism, i.e. the idea that if we pay a few dollars more at Whole Foods, we can achieve a more
compassionate capitalism; a capitalism where what is the most profitable is also the most moral.
● “Ethical consumption” suggests that production for profit is acceptable, as long as it comes from a
more kind and gentle version of capitalism which treats its workers nicely and cares about the
environment.
● The idea of ethical profit is an oxymoron, considering that all profit is the unpaid wages of the
working class, privately appropriated and hoarded by the ruling capitalist class.
● Additionally, the logic of production for profit and competition on the market means the capitalists
must always try and lower their costs of production by squeezing more out of the workers and
cutting corners on workplace safety and environmental sustainability.
● Ethical consumerism, by putting the blame on individual consumers (i.e. the working
class), absolves the ruling class (transnational corporations) of any responsibility for its
despicable treatment of workers, animals, and the environment.
Ethical consumerism ends up dividing the working class by implying that those who purchase “ethically”
are more moral than those who do not, regardless of their means of doing so. So buy your package from
amazon, shop at walmart and don't feel bad about it.