Artisans and Cooperatives

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With new markets emerging for artisan goods worldwide, craft commercialization has become vital to local economies. The Fair Trade movement and opposition to sweatshop labor have led to increased demands for fair treatment of artisans in developing countries. This collection of case studies from the Americas and Asia explores the relationship between subsistence activities, craft production, and the global market, contributing to discussions on economic inequality. It highlights the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of artisan production as a means of expressing ethnic and gender identity. Balancing economic and ethnographic perspectives, contributors analyze successful and unsuccessful craft cooperatives, revealing how some artisans have taken on entrepreneurial roles by marketing their crafts. Topics include the integration of craft traditions into the global market, fair trade challenges, and the anthropologist's role as an advocate for artisan groups. As economic disparities grow, the future of subsistence economies remains uncertain. Yet, the artisans featured demonstrate innovative ways to enhance their skills and reinforce their ethnic identities, showcasing resilience and creativity in the face of globalization.