This document is a research proposal that examines how fair trade cooperatives can address gender disparity and promote long-term project success. The author proposes to study how fair trade agreements advance the economic status of women through various theoretical lenses, including realism, institutionalism, and constructivism. The research question asks to what extent fair trade cooperatives improve women's economic standing. Through interviews and data analysis in a specific location, the author hopes to identify variables that partnerships must consider to create development projects that empower women and generate sustainable impacts.

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Sociopolitical Variables of Development
How Companies Can Address Disparity for Long-Term Project Success, A Research
Proposal
Chelsee Bolivar
Abstract
Market trends are constantly subject to the influence of popular culture, and may often
impact one’s personal lifestyle and perspective. The latest of these trends is fair trade co-
operatives, in which the goal is to help developing countries essentially develop themselves, i.e.
“trade not aid”. Human nature may suggest that we contain an innate desire to help our
neighbors, and would thus allow for the implementation of social and charity organizations.
Here, I define a “successful” development project as one that improves the economic, social,
and/or political quality of life through sustainable practices. The research question I propose is in
regards to how these fair trade agreements are structured, but more specifically in terms of how
they advance one of the inherent barriers to development- gender equality. Through utilization of
various theoretical lenses, I hope to establish the variables that partnerships must identify in
order to implement development projects that are successful in the long-term.
Statement of the Problem
Poverty is a transcending global reality that has recently been addressed in numerous,
‘innovative’ ways. One such methodology of alleviation has been the practice of fair trade, an
“alternative form of trade” in which stabilized prices are assigned between a producer (typically
within a developing country) and supplier (Paul 134). In time, it is theorized that the producers
will achieve an improved level of social, economic, and environmental standing through self-
sustainable practices (McArdle and Thomas 278). This, however, may be subject to gender
mainstreaming, in which development projects fail to recognize the need to address the inherent
gender disparities specific to that particular region (Rao and Kelleher 57). It is through this
consideration that one may be able to resolve social tensions in order to create a more effective
and cohesive environment through which to implement a more successful fair-trade partnership.
The question then arises, to what extent do fair trade co-operatives advance the economic status
of women? To be a truly effective and ‘successful’ campaign, such a partnership should improve
the status of life for the producer community through the long-run, including political, social,
and economic status.
Recommendation of implementation method, however, differs with respect to the
theoretical lens used. These schools of thought, categorized as realism, institutionalism, and
constructivism1
, may offer unique angles of understanding how to further advance the economic
status of women. For instance, the realist school may perceive that inequalities based on gender
within a specific region are more influenced by power struggles, and projects should thus aim to
1
Use of constructivism will incorporate elements of feminist theory, although for purposes of this prompt I will
focus on the strengths of constructivism.

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balance such power through various means, such as the economic empowerment of women
through increased participation in the co-operative (Dorius and Firebaugh 1941). Addressing
how the influence of fair trade co-operatives upon women’s social status would provide various
policy implications that would ultimately further our understandings as to how we can better
implement development-type projects.
Policy makers may utilize this information in order to further balance not only the
financial relationship between producers and suppliers, but the division of those funds amongst
the producing community in order to ensure that women have equal earnings. Scholars may find
the data of use when attempting to implement development projects that address gender
disparities (Moore 73). Finally, such understandings would reach the average consumer, and
perhaps further the use of the fair trade co-operative approach through market demand for such
ethical methodologies (Kim et al 590).
Literature Review
Existing literature regarding fair trade co-operatives and their impact upon women
commonly focuses on the issues of proper implementation, the significance of social status, and
the later by-product of increased economic standing amongst women. The first school of thought
I will employ with regards to these topics is realism, the theory that power is an influential
prevailing factor in most situations. However, previous research has concluding that women do
not, in fact, hold any significant power and are thus excluded from decision making or state
building (Byron and Thorburn 211). It is here that perhaps in order to produce more effective
development projects, the focus should remain on the balancing of power.
While the field of realism largely rejects feminist theory, we can incorporate the
important correlation between monetary gains from holding power. How one gains power,
however, is largely an institutionalized issue that may relate back to social status. The disparities
between men and women may then manifest themselves in ways that favor men, who may hold
positions within the co-operative that are deemed more ‘important’ or ‘difficult’ (Dorius and
Firebaugh 1942). Here, the issue of power relations is addressed as women may or may not have
enough relative importance within the trade to earn equal wages, for example.
Similarly, characteristics of realist place importance on matters of self-interest. Perhaps
self-interest is a possible factor contributing to the economic degradation of women within
producing countries. States act within their own interest in hopes of preserving their own
security. If we apply this concept to that of a fair trade community, it may be that the dominant
social class (or in this case, gender) avoids altering the norm in order to preserve their own
standing. Change, however, cannot be brought about without a disruption to the system (Waal
209). In addition, realist though recognizes the presence of anarchy, or the absence of order
(Milner 69). Certification of this idea varies with respect to the theoretical lens used. If a state
lacks order, it would prove to be extremely difficult to advance the idea of equality while there
are more pressing matters, such as security.
The second theory we may utilize to understand how economic status is affected by fair
trade is institutionalism, which acknowledges the potential for cooperation between states.
Viewing situations within the state, such as fair trade organizations, would allow for the
recognition of the idea that such cooperation is possible. However, it is important to note that

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cooperation does not necessary equate to ‘good’, rather, it simply addresses the possibility of
discourse between two states (Axelrod and Keohane 226). In essence, liberalism may be used
within this research to validate the communication between fair trade organizations and
producers, in which such agreements are not only necessary, but also influence the success of the
partnership (Moore 73).
The existing literature stresses this importance, and also recognizes the influence of
outside factors such as market fluctuations that may place added stress upon the partnership.
Liberalism’s emphasis on cooperation may also take into account the importance of the shadow
of the future, in which present negotiations may affect future dialogue. Within the international
trade community, this is crucial in order to build negotiations. Through increased international
communication, the flow of capital may prove to be more fluid than before. This flow would
place less stress on the producing countries, and shed a positive light on the individuals working
within the co-operative. Ideally, this would bring about less social tension, but concrete data
regarding this information is sparse and/or outdated.2
While realism and liberalism offer promising insight, it is the lack of concentration on the
individual level of analysis that leads me to offer the final theory of constructivism as the most
appropriate for this particular study. With constructivism, the individual is the most significant
unit that should be understood within its on context. Essentially, gender disparities are more
often believed to originate at the individual level, not solely because of a state or institution
(Caprioli 253). Realism, for instance, dismisses the importance of gender, and is therefore not
entirely equipped to be the sole theory used in this study (Beetham and Demetriades 199).With
this, we may suggest that it is at this level that careful consideration should be placed in terms of
understanding how and why such impediments to women’s advancement are created. Coupled
with feminist theory, constructivism recognizes the need for a holistic view of a specific issue,
specifically at the cultural level (Anderson, 50). Is it here that the system is legitimized; we can
observe this through means such as the amount of women in power in local political
organizations, how many women operate their own businesses, and the influence women have
within the home. I plan to collect this data through interviews (within a specific location),
utilization of previously gathered data regarding per capita income, and first-hand accounts.
Women’s status has often been part of an institutionalized system in which oppression in
terms of economics, politics, and/or social standing has been present for years (Orock 93). As
such, it would be difficult to break free from this system. In order to answer the original research
question of “to what extent do fair trade co-operatives advance the economic status of women”,
we must first establish the environment. In communities where gender disparities are heavily
prevalent, change will be not only more difficult to implement, but even more difficult will be
the challenge of creating lasting differences. One of the most considerable steps a partnership
can take is offering women more opportunities to have a significant voice that is recognized
within their own community with regards to the project. While gender quality is an issue not
easily fixed, it is with small steps that we can hope to decrease this disparity.
2
It is the recognition of a more globalized world, in which communication influences trade on daily basis, that
distinguishes data as modern and usable. It would be difficult to say that trade and gender conditions are the same
now as they would have been over thirty years ago.

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Conclusion
The importance of gender equality within development is critical, as projects that are not
successful in the long-term essentially fail to implement lasting change. One way we can combat
an oppressive system, intentional or not, is to identify the root cause, i.e. gender disparities, and
resolve the issue in a manner that creates a sustainable impact. Utilization of numerous theories
would only further this goal, but particular attention to the tenants of constructivism would prove
to be more targeted for this specific study. By advancing the social status, women may be more
likely to have an equal rate of participation and pay within fair trade co-operatives, as
distribution of funds is not always even.
Adoption of this research would enable policy makers, scholars, and consumers alike to
further their understanding of effective development projects. With this, projects may prove to
create more self-sustaining impacts, such as increased economic wellbeing for entire
communities, regions, or even states. The goal is to avoid the pitfalls that recent aid companies
have created, and instead to promote self-sustainable practices that do not require outside
intervention in the long-term.

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