Consumer Choice as Political Participation

Abstract

Consumers have the possibility of expressing political opinion by changing their consumption patterns, a phenomenon analyzed by Michèle Micheletti in Consumer Choice as Political Participation. Political consumerism, a politically motivated consumer choice of producers and products, is an old phenomenon. Historically consumerism has mainly been a negative choice in form of boycotts, whereas positive boycotts and global concerns are becoming more dominant today. Consumerism is particularly important as channel for women's political engagement. Relevant distinctions are introduced.