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CONSUMERISM - SEARCH FOR THE CONSUMER INTEREST, 3D ED.

NCJ Number
47160
Editor(s)
D A AAKER, G S DAY
Date Published
1978
Length
512 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF CONSUMERISM ARE EXPLORED IN THIS ANTHOLOGY OF ARTICLES BY A VARIETY OF CONSUMER RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND WRITERS, INCLUDING RALPH NADER AND SENATOR FRANK MOSS.
Abstract
AS CONSUMERISM HAS MATURED, IT HAS BECOME INSTITUTIONALIZED IN NUMEROUS REGULATORY AND ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. AS A RESULT OF THIS ENTRENCHMENT, THE FOCUS IN DEBATES HAS SHIFTED SOMEWHAT FROM PERSISTENT EARLIER QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NATURE OF CONSUMERISM AND THE SCOPE OF CORPORATE ABUSE TO SUCH NEW CONCERNS AS (1) IDENTIFYING AND REPRESENTING THE CONSUMER INTEREST, (2) THE ROLES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS, (3) PROBLEMS OF IMPLEMENTATION, AND (4) THE TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN COSTS AND BENEFITS THAT RESULT WHEN CONSUMER AND OTHER RIGHTS CLASH. AN EXAMINATION IS UNDERTAKEN OF THE SCOPE OF THESE NEW CONCERNS. SEVERAL PERSPECTIVES ON CONSUMERISM ARE PRESENTED, INCLUDING A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE CONSUMER MOVEMENT AND CURRENT (1978) PERCEPTIONS AS TO THE MOVEMENT'S EMERGING DIRECTION. CONSUMERISM AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO INDIVIDUAL STAGES IN THE CONSUMER PROCESS IS EXAMINED. THE PREPURCHASE PHASE AND THE ROLE OF CONSUMER INFORMATION ARE DISCUSSED AND THE EFFECTS OF INFORMATION DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS ARE ASSESSED. THE ROLE OF ADVERTISING IS DISCUSSED, WITH ATTENTION TO DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING AND VARIOUS SOCIAL ISSUES ARISING OUT OF ADVERTISING. THE IMPACT OF CONSUMERISM ON THE PURCHASE TRANSACTION IS DETAILED; PRODUCT AND PRICE STANDARDS, ECOLOGICAL ISSUES, SELLING PRACTICES, AND ANTITRUST ISSUES ARE DISCUSSED. ISSUES RELEVANT TO THE POSTPURCHASE PHASE ARE INTRODUCED; ASPECTS OF CONSUMER SATISFACTION ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES AND SERVICE, AND SAFETY AND LIABILITY. FINALLY, VARIOUS RESPONSES TO CONSUMERISM ARE EXAMINED; CONSUMER RECOURSE, AND CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSES ARE DISCUSSED. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF EACH SECTION. AN INDEX IS INCLUDED. FOR SELECTED READINGS, SEE NCJ 47161-47165. (KBL)

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