d countries. The WTO is not accountable for the environmental and social impacts that these decisions cause on everyday life (WTO). The Seattle battle graphically illustrated a large and diverse group of people were violently opposed to the WTO'S plans and actions.
             The WTO states on its website that its actions "does not destroy jobs or widen the gap between rich and poor."(WTO). This is a false statement. The number of people (excluding China) living on less then $2.75 a day has increased by 10 percent or some 300,000 people since 1992. The WTO claims it is a democratic organization and yet many of its member countries are themselves, not democracies (WTO). This means that the people in these countries have no choice as to whether their country belongs to the WTO, let alone how their country might vote. This statement implies that all countries get to vote. The WTO states "Decisions in the WTO are generally by consensus (WTO). In principle, that's even, more democratic then majority rule because no decision is taken until everyone agrees." This is a false statement as "generally" does not mean always, and by definition, consensus does not mean 100 percent agreement. This statement further implies there are not democratic rules of two-thirds majority vote or 50 percent plus 1.
             Small manufactures and independent farmers around the world fear the free trade proposed by the WTO (PS). Multi-national corporations have the capital to use the best equipment and resources and can afford to lose money in new markets because of the profits they earn in their established markets (PS). Independent operators do not have access to this capital. Small farmers in many areas who can sell some of their crops locally face competition from multi-national corporations (PS). If these small farmers cannot compete, they will become unemployed, adding to the poverty problems of these smaller countries. Similarly, a local shoe manufacturer,...