NCJ Number
45128
Date Published
1977
Length
23 pages
Annotation
CONSUMERISM AS A POLITICAL FORCE IN THE UNITED STATES IS EXAMINED, WITH REFERENCE TO PUBLIC OPINION POLLS, INTEREST GROUPS STRUGGLES, AND POLITICAL PARTIES.
Abstract
ANY EFFORT TO DEFINE THE CONSUMER MOVEMENT MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ACTIVITIES OF GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND CONSUMER ORGANIZATIONS. TO DETERMINE HOW THE DIFFUSED, ISSUE-ORIENTED CONSUMER MOVEMENT ACHIEVES REPRESENTATION IN A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY, THREE TRADITIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF POLITICAL INTERESTS ARE EXPLORED: INFLUENCING PUBLIC OPINION, GAINING THE ENDORSEMENTS OF THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES, AND COMPETING IN THE INTEREST GROUP STRUGGLE. OPINION POLLS SUGGEST A STRONG CONSENSUS AMONG CONSUMERS AND LEADERS IN GOVERNMENT, THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, AND CONSUMER ORGANIZATIONS THAT THE CONSUMER MOVEMENT HAS DONE MORE GOOD THAN HARM AND THAT CONSUMERS ARE ABLE TO GET A BETTER DEAL AS A RESULT OF MOVEMENT. IN 1972, BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ENDORSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY; NO SUCH AGENCY WAS CREATED. FOUR YEARS LATER, BOTH PARTIES RETREATED ON THE CONSUMER ISSUE. HOWEVER, IN TERMS OF ACTUALLY ENACTING PUBLIC POLICY, THE PRESIDENT, CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, THE BUREAUCRACY, AND INTEREST GROUPS ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT ACTORS THAN THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES. EXAMINATION OF ONE OF THESE ACTORS -- ORGANIZED INTEREST GROUPS -- POINTS TO THE RISE OF THE CONSUMER PROFESSIONAL (E.G., RALPH NADER). THE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE ENJOYED THE GREATEST SUCCESS HAVE BEEN THOSE WHO, WITH THE HELP OF THE MASS MEDIA, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AROUSE PUBLIC OPINION. WERE A CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY CREATED, THESE PROFESSIONALS NO LONGER WOULD HAVE TO MOBILIZE CONSUMERS BEHIND EVERY IMPORTANT ISSUE BUT COULD DEVOTE THEIR TIME TO DEVELOPING A CLIENTELE RELATIONSHIP WITH A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. (LKM)