Comments on: Nike backs down

By: Skitt

Skitt — Tue, 24 May 2005 16:37:46 +0000

I need to know what has been going on with the Nike boycott….if anyone knows. I have searched almost everywhere and the only thing I have found dates to 2001. Has anything changed on it…..the sites are outdated or expired and I need it for school. Thanks

By: Brian Boyko

Brian Boyko — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 10:00:32 +0000

You know, I did check out Wikipedia, but what Wikipedia is pretty bad at is telling the subjective story. The way things look to different people. It’ll give you facts and figures, and it’s about as useful as the Wall Street Journal. I’m looking for something else though. I’m looking for the stories. For the ideas. You can read on Wikipedia about the politics of the United States, but you need to talk to people one on one and let them tell you their own stories before you get a rough idea about how people think politically.

There’s a reason people choose to vote Green… or Labour, or National, or ACT, or NZ First, or Alliance… or any of the other parties in the history of your country. I want to find out more than just the facts - I want to understand the flavor of New Zealand politics.

– Brian Boyko

By: stuey

stuey — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 09:45:04 +0000

Mate you want to check out wikipedia…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Parliament
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_parties_in_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Party_of_Aotearoa_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Clark
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_general_election_2005
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_general_election_2002
etc

By: Brian Boyko

Brian Boyko — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 09:27:40 +0000

Hi. This may seem a bit odd, but I’m currently preparing for a move to NZ from the U.S., and I’m trying to catch up on as much NZ politics as I can. Of course, not having any idea what seperates each political party from the next… well… it can get a bit confusing.

Imagine that I literally just came out from under a rock and have no knowledge of New Zealand politics. Could you help me understand exactly what the Green party stands for, what it’s plans are, where it fits in the NZ governmental system, etc?

Thanks.

Brian Boyko

By: Greg Stephens

Greg Stephens — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 08:23:43 +0000

So, that would mean that I’m correct and Christopher is wrong? Jeez, what a surprise!

“But what now for the boycotters? Suppose Nike put their $ where their mouth is and improve conditions a bit. Should one keep boycotting or not?”
-it depends on how much they have raised standards. The boycott should remain until the working standards are the same, but they should be loosened to allow the company to get the motivation for raising the level that far. Pretty much it will come down to a decision by each person. Some will say ‘this is enough, I will no longer boycott Nike’, which provides reward to Nike for their actions. But at the same time other people will say ‘This is not enough, I will continue to boycott Nike’, and that will create the incentive on Nike to do even more.
It is all about using the market to change Nike!

By: organicpete

organicpete — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 05:25:01 +0000

Hopefully the boycott is called off if good progress is made…?

By: jock

jock — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 04:58:18 +0000

Interesting stuff. But what now for the boycotters? Suppose Nike put their $ where their mouth is and improve conditions a bit. Should one keep boycotting or not? After all, conditions will still be crap compared to western workplaces.

And what should we make of the view of Jeff Sachs, leading development economist, pal of Bono, and author of the stunningly bold new book “The End of Poverty” who has views pretty similar to the ones you’re criticising here?

Sorry, no answers today, just questions…