Global Consumer Organizations

As corporate activity continues to expand in line with the continued globalization of the economy there is an increasing demand for establishing rules to regulate the trans-boundary activities of firms and their many and complex relations with consumers. Until now, sources of knowledge in this field have been scattered and unsystematic and this volume fills a key gap in current literature, providing a concise and accessible introduction to the role of global consumer organizations. The book: Provides an historical overview that traces the early attempts made before WWII to formulate elements of global consumer policy, highlighting key issues and initiatives up until the 1980s. Outlines the groups of organizations that are responsible for dealing with consumer issues in areas such as trade and development, socio-economics and the environment, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and World Bank. Analyses the group of special intergovernmental organizations that address the problems of specific consumer segments, industries and service-providers, including the World Health Organization, International Telecommunication Union and World Tourism Organization. Evaluates both current and future challenges and dilemmas facing consumer organizations, including addressing the continued issues of coordination between them. Providing a much-needed overview of this key area in international organization, Global Consumer Organizations will be of interest to students and scholars in a range of areas, including international political economy, consumer behaviour, international organizations, economic policy and consumer behaviour.

Consumers are a powerful force for change towards a sustainably developing world that leaves no one behind and respects the human rights of all. This publication showcases the work of a selection of consumer organizations around the world in securing the right to adequate food. Intended to be frequently updated, this collection brings to the fore the experiences and good practices of members of Consumers International. It aims to be of use to multi-sector partnerships and the whole community of consumer organizations, to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills, and to foster collaborations around thematic areas. It is designed as a complement to Consumer Organizations and the Right to Adequate Food – Making the Connections, which presents the linkages between the work of consumer organizations and the realization of the right to adequate food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) wishes to thank the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) for its financial support, which made this publication possible.

Recent work has focused on the politics of consumption and its manifestation in a number of situations. This volume extends these debates, providing a tighter focus and contributing to a noticeable gap in the field that numerous scholars are beginning to turn towards: that is, organizations of consumers themselves who have chosen to speak for all consumers and similar such bodies of experts which act on behalf of consumers. The volume is fortunate in drawing upon a number of scholars who are about to publish major works on the subject, but who are happy to provide summary versions of their work for the volume. The book pays particular attention to specific moments in consumer mobilization and expertise, capturing the range of types of expert consumers across the twentieth century, from ethical consumer groups at the beginning, to intellectuals, housewives, economists and public officials. It addresses questions on the nature of consumer organizing, which bodies can speak for consumers, whether one consumer voice can ever be identified and the relationship between consumption and citizenship. Overview pieces demonstrate the larger narratives involved in the study of the expert consumer, whilst more comparative essays set out the nature of transatlantic exchanges. Other contributions point to the similarities across seemingly different consumption regimes, while case studies of specific organisations and key historical moments draw out the particularities of consumer expertise.

Consumers are a powerful force for change towards a sustainably developing world that leaves no one behind and respects the human rights of all. This publication is aimed at making the connections between the important work of consumer organizations and the realization of the right to adequate food, increasing the visibility of these organizations and highlighting their importance to food security, healthy diets and food systems transformations. It is also intended to support consumer organizations in their awareness raising, and capacity development efforts towards even greater impact. In showcasing how the work of consumer organizations contributes towards securing the right to adequate food for all at local, national, regional and global level, it seeks to reinforce their place as vital partners at the policy and decisionmaking table. It is designed as a complement to Consumer Organizations in Action: a growing community of consumer organizations, presenting their experiences in food issues, as well as facilitating networking, and the exchange of knowledge, skills and good practices.

This book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information about ways in which consumer activism has reshaped the economic and political well-being of citizens in the United States and around the world. This all-encompassing collection of information about consumer activism and the consumer movement will provide students, public officials, business groups, and other activists with a one-stop source of facts and insights. The contributors explore hundreds of major consumer protections that have significantly enhanced the quality of life and safety for all Americans, showing how these protections were won through the skillful and determined work of leading activists and activist organizations. Many of the stories told here are related by the activists themselves, often for the first time. More than 140 entries offer a comprehensive treatment of the consumer activism of specific organizations, their leaders, and strategies. The book also includes more than 40 entries about consumer movements in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. A timeline of key events and a listing of the most important books on the subject of consumer activism help provide context for the individual entries as do two introductory essays. Cross references in each entry establish linkages among topics.

Global business tends to be perceived as a number of individual but powerful multinational corporations, capable of controlling markets and influencing political decisions; in fact, global business is highly organized through a plethora of associations that bring together competing companies and conflicting national businesses. Indeed, global business associations have a long history and, with accelerated globalization, further opportunities emerge for unified business action. This book fills a significant gap in the current literature, examining the pivotal role of global business associations and providing a concise and accessible overview of their different functions in a range of institutional contexts. Beginning by clarifying the concept of global business associations, the author puts their role into a historical and contemporary context in which their economic, social and political functions are sketched. Their historical origin is outlined, including the proliferation of global associations in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. He then moves on to explore and analyse the different types of actors, explaining key categories and their place in the organization of global business with chapters on peak associations (e.g. ICC and WEF), industry associations, alliances, as well as clubs and think tanks, and facilitators. Covering the history, current role and future evolution of this dynamic category of associations, this work will be essential reading for students and scholars of international political economy, international relations, international organizations and global governance.

Analyzing the consumer movement from sociological, economic, and political perspectives, Mayer argues that American consumer activists have successfully shaped public policy despite formidable obstacles. He details the history of consumer activism in the United States, looks at significant leaders, and examines the key components of the present movement. He measures its successes and failures, compares it with movements in other countries, shows how shrewd political maneuvering has combined with fortuitous circumstances to bring about legislation in the interest of consumers, and foresees the problems and issues that will spark the next wave of consumerism. ISBN 0-8057-9718-1 (alk. Paper): $25.95.