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The kuffiyeh industry and globalization

The kuffiyeh industry and globalization

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Originally posted by PsychoPawn
So if the US made cars their "national product of their country" then no other country could ethically make cars? What and who dictates that?

Typically with any kind of mass production getting started into a market the market for the higher quality artisan item will go down because many don't want to pay that much more. That would happen within a country even if China didn't.
China shouldn't make Chevys under their own brand name. It would be bad for workers here in the US to have cheaper, lower-quality cars. I think that China is knowingly and intentionally driving out the artisans, because they know that people are more likely to buy poor kuffiyat (or whatever) at cheaper prices.

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Originally posted by scherzo
China shouldn't make Chevys under their own brand name. It would be bad for workers here in the US to have cheaper, lower-quality cars. I think that China is knowingly and intentionally driving out the artisans, because they know that people are more likely to buy poor kuffiyat (or whatever) at cheaper prices.
First, I wouldn't characterize it as an action of China, the country. Is this something that the country is funding?

It would be bad for workers here in the US to have cheaper, lower-quality cars sold by the Chinese. In fact, that's pretty much how Hyundai entered the market (except they're Korean). They sold cars on the cheap because they had their costs really down since their cars were cheaply made. People stopped buying their cars because they gained the reputation they deserved - that they were low quality.

Now, Hyundai has rebuilt their reputation largely due to their own efforts to increase quality. This was their right in competing in the market. The US car manufacturers are in trouble now because they were slow in reacting to the market.

The people who make kuffiyeh's will either be able to survive by offering the higher quality some prefer or their market will go away. It sucks, but that doesn't make it wrong. The only thing I would have any problem with is if they are specifically calling it the exact same thing, but unfortunately there isn't an established trademark to protect the name.

It seems you're suggesting that there should be some kind of enforcement of a monopoly for these artisans. I don't really agree with that as a solution since I don't see how it would work. Just like the restriction that you can only call Champagne by that name if it's made in France doesn't really prevent people from selling sparkling wine - which is essentially the same thing.

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Originally posted by PsychoPawn
First, I wouldn't characterize it as an action of China, the country. Is this something that the country is funding?

It would be bad for workers here in the US to have cheaper, lower-quality cars sold by the Chinese. In fact, that's pretty much how Hyundai entered the market (except they're Korean). They sold cars on the cheap because they had their c ...[text shortened]... lly prevent people from selling sparkling wine - which is essentially the same thing.
First, I wouldn't characterize it as an action of China, the country. Is this something that the country is funding?

No. Good point.

Chinese businesses then.

It would be bad for workers here in the US to have cheaper, lower-quality cars sold by the Chinese. In fact, that's pretty much how Hyundai entered the market (except they're Korean). They sold cars on the cheap because they had their costs really down since their cars were cheaply made. People stopped buying their cars because they gained the reputation they deserved - that they were low quality.

Unfortunately, kuffiyat don't have the same sort of importance worldwide that cars do. From my understanding, outside the Middle East they tend to be more of a fashon trend than a cultural, religious, or political statement. Cars are cars. You need them for work, driving the kids to sports games, etc.

Now, Hyundai has rebuilt their reputation largely due to their own efforts to increase quality. This was their right in competing in the market. The US car manufacturers are in trouble now because they were slow in reacting to the market.

I still hate Hyundai. And Kia. They're both immensely low-quality. I prefer Toyota or Honda.

The people who make kuffiyeh's

Kuffiyat pl.

The people who make kuffiyeh's [sic] will either be able to survive by offering the higher quality some prefer or their market will go away. It sucks, but that doesn't make it wrong. The only thing I would have any problem with is if they are specifically calling it the exact same thing, but unfortunately there isn't an established trademark to protect the name.

Right. And that's the problem with globalization. You're not blamed for destroying artisan industry.

Just like the restriction that you can only call Champagne by that name if it's made in France doesn't really prevent people from selling sparkling wine - which is essentially the same thing.

Except champagne makers aren't being driven out of business.

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Originally posted by scherzo

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Originally posted by scherzo
[b]First, I wouldn't characterize it as an action of China, the country. Is this something that the country is funding?

No. Good point.

Chinese businesses then.

It would be bad for workers here in the US to have cheaper, lower-quality cars sold by the Chinese. In fact, that's pretty much how Hyundai entered the market (except they're Korean) ...[text shortened]... he same thing.

Except champagne makers aren't being driven out of business.[/b]
I still hate Hyundai. And Kia. They're both immensely low-quality. I prefer Toyota or Honda.

That's your perogative. I have never owned a Hyundai or Kia, but I've read that Hyundai's quality has gone up dramatically.

Right. And that's the problem with globalization. You're not blamed for destroying artisan industry.

What punishment would be appropriate? I'm just not sure of a good way of protecting the artisan industry that would be effective and not just an arbitrary protectionist policy.

Except champagne makers aren't being driven out of business.

But there would have been that potential. People do still buy champagne partly because of the label. I wouldn't have a problem with Chinese businesses just not using the term kuffiyeh.

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Originally posted by PsychoPawn
[b]I still hate Hyundai. And Kia. They're both immensely low-quality. I prefer Toyota or Honda.

That's your perogative. I have never owned a Hyundai or Kia, but I've read that Hyundai's quality has gone up dramatically.

Right. And that's the problem with globalization. You're not blamed for destroying artisan industry.

What pun ...[text shortened]... el. I wouldn't have a problem with Chinese businesses just not using the term kuffiyeh.[/b]
But there would have been that potential. People do still buy champagne partly because of the label. I wouldn't have a problem with Chinese businesses just not using the term kuffiyeh.

But they are using the word "kuffiyeh" to describe what they are producing. They also put "suber deluxe" on the label.

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Originally posted by scherzo
[b]But there would have been that potential. People do still buy champagne partly because of the label. I wouldn't have a problem with Chinese businesses just not using the term kuffiyeh.

But they are using the word "kuffiyeh" to describe what they are producing. They also put "suber deluxe" on the label.[/b]
I think it's kinda funny that they add "super deluxe" actually.

In any case, I don't know the procedure to have that kind of a protected name, but that is what they'd have to do. I'm sure then the Chinese company would just call it something just similar enough to be recognized and just different enough to avoid being caught.

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Originally posted by PsychoPawn
I think it's kinda funny that they add "super deluxe" actually.

In any case, I don't know the procedure to have that kind of a protected name, but that is what they'd have to do. I'm sure then the Chinese company would just call it something just similar enough to be recognized and just different enough to avoid being caught.
no, no, not "super deluxe," "suber deluxe."

The chinese are scammers.

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Originally posted by scherzo
no, no, not "super deluxe," "suber deluxe."

The chinese are scammers.
I'm not sure if "suber deluxe" makes it more or less funny. Still kinda funny.

You're right that the Chinese government definitely doesn't have very high respect for copyright or intellectual property. A mall of "fakes" recently opened there with things like "Pizza Huh" and other knockoff shops.

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Originally posted by PsychoPawn
I'm not sure if "suber deluxe" makes it more or less funny. Still kinda funny.

You're right that the Chinese government definitely doesn't have very high respect for copyright or intellectual property. A mall of "fakes" recently opened there with things like "Pizza Huh" and other knockoff shops.
That's all I'm saying, except that the disenfranchised people are not corporate megalomaniacs; they're artisans.