The Consumer as Citizen or The Citizen as Consumer

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The Consumer as Citizen or The Citizen as Consumer

• Karlstad 7.-8.February 2006
• Harald Throne-Holst
• SIFO (National Institute for Consumer Research)

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Consumer influence in two dimensions
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From markets to politics An example

• A grassroot movement among the housewives in the
  lake Mjøsa-region
• The idea was launched in a local newspaper in
  November 1972
• It was quickly recognised by other actors, and a
  voluntary agreement between the government and
  the industry was reached in 1973.
• The housewife went from being an active
  contributor to become symbol of the consumers
  potential power
• Two regional and two national regulations the
  last one a complete ban in 1990.

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The Role of the Consumer

• Consumers have potential influence in modern
  environmental policy, and it is possible to
  mobilise individuals both as consumers and
  political actors
• However, as long as the problem is placed on the
  micro-market level alone, the influence of
  individuals are limited
• Our cases showed that the link between
  individuals, in their role as (political)
  consumers and the framework created by
  politicians on the macro-politics level is crucial

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Recycling
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Eco-labels Trust in institutions