Oxfam Enters Used-books Market With a Bang

It is without doubt that Oxfam is one of the world's most influential advocacy organizations addressing poverty in low-income countries. the organization also has very wide recognition and undertakes a lot of activities related to international trade and how the rules work against the interest of many low-income countries. However, I respectfully classify it as a capable organization whose advocacy is sharp but whose discomfort with market mechanisms almost leads many to think erroneously that developing countries should eschew all international investment and competition. In particular, I find the Fair Trade argument unconvincing, if not altogether disingenuous.

Steven Morris' article in the Guardian here illustrates the fact that I was perhaps wrong in my assessment regarding that organization's understanding of how markets and competition work. Indeed, Oxfam has employed a very market savvy model and infused competition in the used books market in specific cities within the UK. In addition to providing competition to second hand booksellers, it also classifies the books and uses an auction model to raise the value of rarer texts. While I understand the complaints by its competitors, it is clear that Oxfam's entry into the used books market and choice of location is demonstration of the value of markets. Now I hope that it will support free trade and competition within the low-income countries that justify its existence. May the Oxfam bookshops continue to thrive.