White Man’s “Burden” and the New Colonialism in West African Cocoa Production

Abstract

The current practices of several large multinational corporations with interests in cocoa production, aided by organizations that present themselves as being committed to fair trade, reproduces and continues the standards of slavery for workers all over the world. This abuse is centered in the West African nation of Cote d’Ivoire, where 40 percent of the world’s cocoa is produced. Indigenous voices that could speak for farmers and their families in labor negotiations are systematically ignored or silenced.