Cordillera Farmers’ View of Trade Liberalization: A Critical Study of Communicative Action Towards the Asean Economic Community

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to capture and explore the breadth and depth of the Cordillera farmers’ views of trade liberalization and how their views define their communicative action towards the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The study applied the critical qualitative approach which is appropriate when one wants to study inequalities and injustices resulting from the power structures present within a society. Although the conception of trade liberalization was to boost economic growth which current data shows that indeed is a significant growth in the country, poverty in the rural areas dominated by agriculture-based economy persist. The findings of the study show that the Cordillera farmers understood the purpose of the AEC as an opportunity to have additional market for their products. The study findings however exposed some shortcomings that obstructed the farmers from accessing the opportunities thereby limiting them from getting a share in the potential benefits of the AEC. The findings showed that the farmers instead bore the brunt of protecting themselves and sustaining their farming livelihood as well as fight for survival in a world of liberalized market. Notwithstanding their marginalization, the farmers found ways to ease themselves from the negative effects of trade liberalization and alleviate themselves from staying marginalized. Within the purview of the critical paradigm, the exposed issues should be conscientiously acknowledged so that these can be precisely addressed. This will somehow alleviate the farmers from marginalization.