Spielarten des politischen Konsumismus

This book offers an analysis of the politics of consumption and shows how the 'educated consumer' plays a crucial role in promoting responsible market practices and consumption. Drawing on a broad interdisciplinary perspective, it examines the extent, drivers and linkages of boycotts, purchase boycotts, labelling schemes and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in 20 European countries. A central question is whether macro-societal patterns of orientation regarding the role of the state, companies and citizens can explain individual and cross-national differences in boycotting and banning purchases. As the book shows, there is not just one type of 'political consumer', but several, and their occurrence is directly related to national variations in labelling schemes and corporate social responsibility. Consumers need guidance and information about the political background to their purchases, and policymakers need to meet this need through policies that reflect national patterns in views on cooperation and market relations.