Question

What is your position on dumping (exporting dangerous or banned items to other countries), and what principles and values do you base it on? Should we have laws prohibiting more types of dumping? (at least 200 words)

Answer 1

Dumping of such items that are dangerous and banned, should not take place, because it can cause similar harm to the people of other nations where the dumping has been done. It is based on ethical principles of utilitarianism and Deontological approach. The utilitarian approach relies on benefits to the majority of the society that is not happening with dumping. Further, the intention of dumping is also morally wrong and incorrect, as per the Deontological approach. So, dumping is ethically wrong. It can be said that local laws do not prevent the dumping the authorities follow the local laws, but from an ethical point of view, if a product is dangerous for the people of one country, then it is dangerous for the people of another country. Hence, it is ethically incorrect. Yes, those products who have completed their life cycle, but safe, can be sent to another country at a lower price to let people of that country to get the benefits of it. These products are not dangerous or harmful, rather technically less advanced.

There should be provisions to prevent dumping of these dangerous and banned goods so that it does not create any bad reputation to the country, harm out the nature and create different types of diseases among the people. It is not only ethically incorrect, but also can attract lawsuits against the MNC if found guilty. It also  brings poor reputation to the home country of MNCs. Each government comes up with anti-dumping duties and laws to protect the domestic industries, but specific laws should be framed that prevents dumping of dangerous and banned good either in their own country, or their MNCs doing it in another country. It should be based upon Foreign Corrupt practices act in the USA.