handelstanken

Handelstanken is a Dutch-language term used chiefly in opinion writing and polemics to refer to perceived ethical problems associated with commerce and trade. The word blends handel, meaning trade, with stanken, “to stink,” and is typically employed metaphorically to signal moral or social concerns connected to market activity. It is not a formal academic term and does not denote a specific theory; rather, it functions as a rhetorical device to discuss negative aspects of market economies.

Usage and scope: The term may be invoked when discussing corruption, bribery, or illicit practices within commercial networks, or when highlighting social and environmental externalities linked to globalization and supply chains. It can also describe a perception that commercial activity is tainted by greed or exploitation. Because it is not standardized, meanings and emphasis vary by author and context.

Historical and contextual notes: In historical writing, critics of mercantile capitalism or colonial trade sometimes employ similar expressions to indicate moral critiques of commerce. In contemporary debates, concerns such as labor rights, environmental impact, price manipulation, and opaque supply chains are sometimes framed under a broad notion of handelstanken.

See also: moral economy; corporate social responsibility; ethical consumerism; globalization; supply chain transparency; corruption and anti-corruption.