THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SWEDISH CONSUMER POLICY (FROM CONSUMERISM - SEARCH FOR THE CONSUMER INTEREST, 3D ED., 1978, BY DAVID A AAKER AND GEORGE S DAY - SEE NCJ-47160)

• NCJ Number: 47164
• Author(s): J K JOHANSSON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Free Press
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM JOURNAL OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS (SUMMER 1976), P 19-32

Annotation

AN OVERVIEW OF SWEDISH CONSUMERISM IS PRESENTED.

Abstract

SWEDISH GOVERNMENT CONSUMER POLICY IS BASED UPON THE PREMISE THAT CONSUMERS ARE WEAK AND MUST BE PROTECTED, WHILE MOST PRODUCERS ARE POWERFUL AND MUST BE WATCHED CAREFULLY; THE POLICY OVERTLY SIDES WITH THE CONSUMER. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE WEAKNESS OF CONSUMERS ALSO IS INHERENT IN CONSUMERS' DECISIONMAKING UNDER CONSTRAINTS, OF TIME, INCOME, AND GENERALLY LIMITED RESOURCES. BECAUSE OF THSE CONSIDERATIONS, AND BECAUSE OF POWERFUL AOVERTISING PRACTICES SWEDISH CONSUMER POLICY APPROVES OF CERTAIN FORMS OF DIRECT ACTION WHICH INTERFERE WITH THE RIGHT OF THE MANUFACTURER TO PRODUCE WHATEVER WILL SELL IN THE MARKET. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CAN ELIMINATE CERTAIN PRODUCTS FROM THE MARKET BY NEGOTIATION AND THREAT OF BLACKLISTING. THESE GENERAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS ARE EMBODIED IN A COMPLEX SERIES OF INSTITUTIONS. THE BASIC CONSUMER AGENCY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL IS THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED NATIONAL BOARD FOR CONSUMER POLICIES WHICH INCORPORATES THREE PREVIOUSLY SEPARATE AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH LABELING, PRODUCT TESTING, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFICE OF THE CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN TO ENFORCE TWO LAWS, ONE AGAINST UNWARRANTED CLAIMS IN ADVERTISING, DECEPTIVE PACKAGING AND CERTAIN HOME-SELLING METHODS, AND ANOTHER CONCERNED WITH STANDARD BUYER/SELLER CONTRACTS. THE NATIONAL PRICE AND CARTEL OFFICE IS CHARGED WITH DEVELOPING COMPARATIVE PRICES FOR VARYING SIZES OF PACKAGES, FOR ALTERNATIVE BRANDS, AND FOR ALTERNATIVE UNITS. MANY OF THE ACTIONS DESIGNED TO ASSIST CONSUMERS IN THEIR DECISIONMAKING RESEMBLE SIMILAR ACTIONS IN THE U.S. MOST PRODUCT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH LABELING WHICH DISCLOSES PRODUCT CONTENT AND INDICATES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PRODUCT USE. AN EDUCATIONAL EFFORT INCLUDES CONSUMER TEXTBOOKS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND GRASSROOTS SEMINARS ON CONSMER EDUCATION. ALSO, MANY STORES FEATURE SECTIONS WHERE PRODUCT INFORMATION AND TEST RESULTS ARE AVAILABLE. ACTIONS AGAINST PRODUCERS HAVE INCLUDED SEVERAL ACTIONS DIRECTED AT ADVERTISING PRACTICES. AMONG THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ARE LAWS WHICH REQUIRE USED CARS TO BE INSPECTED AT THE SELLER'S EXPENSE AND WARRANTIES TO BE EXTENDED. ALSO, CIGARETTE AND LIQUOR ADVERTISING MAY BE COMPLETELY BANNED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PROJECTED LEGISLATION, INCLUDING A GENERAL 'OPEN PURCHASE' LAW WHICH WOULD ENABLE CONSUMERS TO RETURN A PRODUCT WITHIN ONE WEEK, IS DISCUSSED. DISCUSSION IS ALSO PRESENTED REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT BY CONSUMER ACTIVIST RADICALS OF AN INFORMAL THEORY OF CONSUMERS AS IGNORANT OR NAIVE JUDGES OF THEIR OWN BEST INTERESTS, INSTEAD OF AS CAPABLE AND RATIONAL BEINGS IN NEED OF MORE INFORMATION AND BETTER PRODUCT GUARANTEES. (KBL)