FIDE Cooperation Agreement with Coca-Cola

[J T Melsom]

Not really the place for a lengthy debate on capitalism, but I suspect whilst opposition to capitalism may be a minority position, the extent of such opposition would be dependent on the type of capitalism in operation. There are a lot of definitions. Plenty of examples of authoritarian regimes running successful economies.

[NickFaulks]

But there is an awful lot of 'white privilege' being expressed in this thread.

How does race get into this?

[J T Melsom]

I was using a short-hand. The victims of the excesses of global capitalism are rarely white middle aged men in western liberal democracies. Or if my words are being subjected to this level of scrutiny, the consequences of the excesses of global capitalism disproportionately affect other demographics and situations. Unless the utilities have botched things up, most posters have regular access to running water at home and union representation at work, both of which have been issues with Coca Cola.

[Adam Raoof]

I was using a short-hand. The victims of the excesses of global capitalism are rarely white middle aged men in western liberal democracies. Or if my words are being subjected to this level of scrutiny, the consequences of the excesses of global capitalism disproportionately affect other demographics and situations. Unless the utilities have botched things up, most posters have regular access to running water at home and union representation at work, both of which have been issues with Coca Cola.

Although when we are talking about diabetes, obesity and tooth decay, we are more equally affected by the price and availability of soft drinks.

[J T Melsom]

I've not mentioned a boycott on health grounds at all! Nor plastics. Ethics and boycotts are rarely clear cut. But although I don't agree with all boycotts, I must confess to being more than a little surprised that so many people regard sponsorship by Coca Cola as self evidently a good thing, when its reasonably clear that there are areas of corporate responsibility where they could raise their game.

[John Upham]

Hi Simon - is it a good thing that large multinational corporations are allowed to get away with low ethical standards? Most sensible people would say that forcing people to work in inhumane conditions, diverting local water supplies to service bottling plants etc was not a good thing! This is a financially bankrupt body doing a deal with a morally bankrupt one. It may not be the worst, but we shouldn't just shrug our shoulders and accept that's the way things are.

Let us assume that you (JTM) have carte blanche decision making on which (if any) corporations you see fit to accept sponsorship from.

Who would be your ideal choice(s) ?

I realise that the answer could be "None of the Above".

What about Saga or The Co-Op or Everest Double Glazing or maybe Stannah Stairlifts ?

[J T Melsom]

John

Thank you for asking, but I won't be taking up your offer to play this particular game. I'm sure if you want to find a more ethical company than Coca Cola you can do so yourself. My observations were more that ethics seemed to play little or no part in attitudes to the deal.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"In the interest of full disclosure, I strongly prefer Pepsi Max to Coca Cola. I hope that at future FIDE Congresses, I will not be prevented from drinking my preferred beverage due to the co-operation agreement. "

You will probably be escorted from the building...

[Mick Norris]

"In the interest of full disclosure, I strongly prefer Pepsi Max to Coca Cola. I hope that at future FIDE Congresses, I will not be prevented from drinking my preferred beverage due to the co-operation agreement. "

You will probably be escorted from the building...

I think it was quite clear that Pepsi were likely to have been quite similar to Coca Cola, but Mark happened to choose the latter to investigate

It's also quite clear that most people don't care what either of them do or have done, any more than they care what FIFA, the IOC or FIDE do or have done

[Alex Holowczak]

"In the interest of full disclosure, I strongly prefer Pepsi Max to Coca Cola. I hope that at future FIDE Congresses, I will not be prevented from drinking my preferred beverage due to the co-operation agreement. "

You will probably be escorted from the building...

Well, if that means someone else has to take the minutes...