Global Trade and Economic Growth: A Critical Analysis of Labor Precarity and Environmental Impact through Documentaries China Blue and The True Cost

Abstract

This paper examines global trade, emphasising that a thorough understanding of its complex structure and dynamics is crucial due to its role in economic growth and its associated socio-economic and environmental challenges. This paper examines the impact of global trade on ecological sustainability, labor precarity, and structural inequality. It utilizes visual narrative and documentary analysis, specifically focusing on the documentaries China Blue[i] (2005) and The True Cost[ii] (2015), to critically analyse the intersections of global trade, precarious labor, and environmental degradation. The research employs documentary analysis and content analysis to examine the narratives presented in these films, demonstrating how multinational corporations, consumer demand, and weak labor regulations contribute to widespread exploitation and environmental harm.