Is it possible to be a consumer in the West and NOT support unethical business practices??

Question

For example, I am a self-confessed chocoholic, especially Cadburys, but I hate the fact that they exploit the countries supplying the cocoa. I used to shop at Gap, but discovered years ago that they use child labour - and were recently found to still be employing children. I have just watched a documentary about Coca cola and found out it had ties with Nazi Germany, employed questionable practices with regard to hiring of ethnic minorities, also has ties with child labour and so on. And due to the vicious, murderous nature of the diamond industry, I will never wear diamonds again.

I never intended to be a kaftan-wearing, tree-hugging "ethical consumer", but it looks LIKELY that almost every big corporation out there is, at best, horribly exploiting somebody much weaker than themselves. At worst, it is killing them.

ANyone out there feel where I am coming from? Can I go out and buy chewing gum tomorrow morning without having to worry about who died to provide it?

Answer 1

Not sure that you can every be completely satisfied that you are dealing with ethical companies. But one way to reduce the risk is to use local vendors. To eat great chocolate, go to local companies that make chocolate. To deal with toys that are safe for children, there are local artisans that build toys that are safe.

Answer 2

probable no longer and it is not your fault. to any extent further than it could be your fault if somebody desperate to attack you. that's the fault of huge business business enterprise and the governments which enable business business enterprise to function without acceptable controls and rules.