A utilitarian would argue that to ensure the greatest happiness, for the greatest number, perhaps some suffering in the interim must be endured by the current generation of factory laborers in the developing world, so that industrialization can develop and so capitalism can take hold there. Moreover, the ethical quandaries we experience are not merely relegated to clothing -- what of how we profit off of the labor illegal immigrants, who enable restaurants to produce cheap food by working as dishwashers, for example, for no benefits and sub-minimum wages? Where can we draw the line, it is not practical to live in an entirely 'just' society....
Of course, a Kantian would respond that what is wrong, and no rationalization can be right -- would we want others to turn a blind eye to our own exploitation as workers?
And would it really cost companies so much more to pay workers a living wage in factories in the developing world? Perhaps it is necessary that with raised awareness, consumers at least attempt to make their views heard, to show that they care. Have 'boycott buying from sweatshops' weeks -- or months, to vote with dollars. Buy fewer clothes. Don't just shrug your shoulders. It is not a perfect solution, but better than an entire abdication of responsibility.
