Navigating the Land Between Religions: New Perspectives on the Fair Trade and Food Sovereignty Movement Strategies to Challenge International Trade Governance by Kimberly Burnett A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Global Governance Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2017 © Kimberly Burnett 2017 Examining Committee Members The following served on the Examining Committee for this thesis. The decision of the Examining Committee is by majority vote. External Examiner Dr. Adam Sneyd Associate Professor, Political Science Guelph University Supervisor(s) Dr. Jennifer Clapp Professor School of Environment, Resources & Sustainability University of Waterloo Internal Member Dr. Derek Hall Associate Professor, Political Science Wilfrid Laurier University Internal-external Member Dr. Bruce Frayne Director and Associate Professor School of Environment, Enterprise & Development University of Waterloo Other Member(s) Dr. Steffanie Scott Associate Professor Geography and Environmental Management University of Waterloo ii Author’s Declaration This thesis consists of material all of which I authored or co-authored: see Statement of Contributions included in the thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. iii Statement of Contributions Chapter 5 is a published journal article that was equally co-authored with Sophia Murphy, PhD Candidate, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia. Some material in the dissertation has drawn on previous work, including material from a report in which I was the sole author as a consultant with the Quaker United Nations Office, and work for PO 692, an independent seminar course during my PhD, led by Dr. Derek Hall. These materials appear in Chapter 2 in the overview of the international agricultural trade regime. iv Abstract The fair trade and food sovereignty movements adopt very different strategies for challenging the existing international agricultural trade regime. Food sovereignty contests and resists the existing system, employing contentious politics and an “outside strategy” motivated by the view that the regime cannot be reformed. Meanwhile, fair trade largely focuses on existing opportunities within the system, taking up a collaborative, “inside strategy” in an effort to progress towards an equitable and just trade system. These movements have notable differences in their views on how to change how trade is governed. This research seeks to explain and understand why these two different movements take up different strategies in pursuit of a common goal. To understand and explain these two strategies, I analyze their strategies and activities, and the factors that explain these, through an interdisciplinary analytical framework that bridges the theory and practice of governance and change. My findings and analysis demonstrate that when we analyze these movements through such a lens, we see more clearly the complexities of governing international trade and challenging neoliberal hegemony, and how the seemingly divergent strategies of these movements are complementary to achieving economic justice. The fair trade movement’s inside, collaborative strategy has leveraged available opportunities to shape policy, raise awareness on injustices in trade and global supply chains, and to change the norms and discourses on international trade. These activities are complemented by political advocacy that is rarely acknowledged in the academic analysis of the movement. Those in the movement who work with fair trade markets do not treat markets as a sufficient mechanism to address injustices in the international trade system. Rather, they see markets as a short-term option for poor producers, and as a mechanism to contribute to facilitating new opportunities to make long-term changes in the system. However, the movement responds to existing conditions, and does not seek to push for new opportunities where none exist. Food sovereignty, meanwhile, has forged space for peasant voices and democratic legitimacy in global governance of food and agriculture through its contentious politics, and has been part of the movement that has raised significant awareness and distrust around free trade agreements. But the movement appears to be guided by more principles than a strategy that has identified the processes for achieving its goals for fairer trade. It also does not fully appreciate how its strategy affects export commodity farmers. While it seeks to dismantle, rather than reform, the WTO, it does not have a concrete vision for an alternative without the WTO. With a vision that no opportunities can emerge from its contentious politics, its strategy does not align with what we know about this type of strategy’s contributions to change. I conclude that both movements’ strategies are necessary to changing the international agricultural trade regime, and neither alone is sufficient. I question and? problematize a tendency to analyze movements that treat their strategies and activities in isolation of broader contributions to common problems. This is matters for academic analysis of these and other movements moving forward. Rather than evaluating movements in isolation, might we consider instead what contributions they bring, and be careful to consider these contributions as part of a broader collection of movements and activities? v Acknowledgements This project is the result of nine years, a time in which I’ve relied on the support of many people I have been most fortunate to have in my life. Having the opportunity to acknowledge the role their love and support has meant to my completion of this project may be my favourite outcome of this endeavor. Strap yourselves in; this will take a while. First, and foremost, to Dr. Jennifer Clapp: Without your gracious patience and unwavering support through these years, I would never have gotten here. I’ll forever remember the day I asked Mat Paterson where I should do my MA, and he said “University of Waterloo, with Jennifer Clapp”. Without hesitation, and to his visible surprise, I replied “tell me somewhere else!”. Rest assured it wasn’t you – I wanted to live in a more vibrant city. But I came out to meet you, and was instantly sold by your genuine enthusiasm for and dedication to economic justice and to students, and your personal warmth. I was right to suspend my reservations for the city, and I’m forever grateful for everything you’ve done as I’ve struggled to balance devastating loss, financial needs, and the common struggles that come with completing a PhD. I have been infinitely lucky to have you in my corner, and for your mentorship, both professionally and personally. Thank you so very much for everything. To Dr. Derek Hall and Dr. Steffanie Scott, my committee members, your patience and willingness to see me through these years is deeply appreciated. I am most grateful for your guidance on the dissertation, for incredible, and timely, feedback all along the way. My success has been contingent on your dedication and generosity, and I thank you. Dr. Bruce Frayne and Dr. Adam Sneyd, thank you for giving your time to read through my work and to participate in my defence. This doctorate was possible through the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Council Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship #767-2008-1014, President Scholarship from the University of Waterloo, a Doctoral Completion Award from the Faculty of Environment, and Balsillie Fellowships through the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Ontario. Faculty and staff from the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the University of Waterloo have provided support throughout the years, including but not limited to Lori McConnell, April Wettig, Dr. Andrew Thompson, Dr. Eric Helleiner, Dr. Gerry Boychuk, Dr. William Coleman, and Dr. Daniel Gorman. The individuals from both movements who took the time to allow me to interview them – the content from your interviews secured, in my mind, the most interesting contributions of my dissertation. Thank you to Gawain Kripke, for bringing me to Oxfam America and for some of my favourite debates about trade and political economy. You’ve convinced me more than once – at least partially. And deepest thanks to Stephanie Burgos for giving me the fullest experience in policy vi advocacy and American politics that has left an indelible mark on me and this work. You could have relegated me to administrative work, but you brought me into and mentored me through the thick of everything. And I loved it! And my deepest gratitude to the many others near and far who have played such an important part of my life and in getting me here – Carolyn Tilley for our monthly dates, and for taking in every Hunger Games, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey movie with me. Ry & Liz - man I love and am endlessly motivated by you both and your friendship. Rachelle and Isabelle (and Mat and Fred) – I love our friendships and how they continue to last the test of time. Mat Paterson for inspiring me into environmental justice, food issues, and academia, and leading me to Jennifer. Larry Cebulski for your generosity and constant encouragement, not to mention your understanding and perspective. Joan Dosso, for being the first to believe in me and show me that I can achieve academically. Rich Fratello, you