Political Consumerism

Transcription

1 Political Consumerism Guest Lecturer: Lauren Copeland Environmental Politics 175 October 2010 Political Participation (Review) Political activities by citizens meant to influence the authoritative allocations of values for a society, which may or may not take place through governmental decisions. Source: Verba and Nie, 1972, p. 2 Political Behavior (Review) Types of behavior Activism Protesting, working for a group Public-sphere, non-activist behavior Writing letters, donating money, voting Private-sphere behavior Recycling, conserving energy, political consumerism Organizational behavior Advocating energy efficiency or recycling at work 1

2 Lecture Outline Political participation Disengaged vs. Engaged Paradigm Political consumerism Politics of Products Types of Political Consumerism Four Questions Is political consumerism a new phenomenon? Who are political consumers? Does political consumerism crowd out other, more traditional forms of participation? What motivates political consumers? Future Research Disengaged Paradigm Political participation rates are in decline, especially among younger generations. Decline in voter turnout rates until 2004, when there was a substantial increase Decline in face-to-face participation Decline in trust for other people Decline in interest in the news and public affairs Disengaged Paradigm Source: United States Election Project, 2

3 Engaged Paradigm The Disengaged Paradigm is overstated. Data do not imply participation is in decline. Disengaged paradigm only captures one side of the story. Overlooks trends in voluntarism. Overlooks trends in unconventional participation. Conventional political participation may be less relevant today. Shift from materialist to postmaterialist values. Generational shift in approaches to citizenship? Engaged Paradigm Unconventional participation has increased over time. Source: Stolle et al. (2005). Politics in the supermarket: Political consumerism as a form of political participation. International Political Science Review 26, p Engaged Paradigm The Disengaged Paradigm is overstated. Data do not imply participation is in decline. Disengaged paradigm only captures one side of the story. Overlooks trends in voluntarism. Overlooks trends in unconventional participation. Conventional political participation may be less relevant today. Shift from materialist to postmaterialist values. Generational shift in approaches to citizenship? 3

4 Political Consumerism Private choices have political consequences. Politics of Products: Products are embedded in a social and political context. Consumer activity has important implications for important global issues of environmentalism, labor rights, human rights, and sustainability. Implies the need to think politically about everyday private choices; blurs the traditional division between the political and economic spheres. Source: Micheletti,2010, Political Virtue and Shopping: Individuals, Consumerism, and Collective Action Political Consumerism Political consumers choose products, producers and services based on political values, virtues and ethics. Political consumers want to use their consumer power to change objectionable institutional or market practices. They are different from purely rational economic consumers, who look for the best product at the best price. Boycotting vs. Buycotting Boycotting Decision to avoid (not purchase) specific products and brands for political or ethical reasons, i.e., to show disapproval of a company s policies or practices. Buycotting Decision to purchase products and specific brands for political and ethical reasons, i.e., to show approval of a company s policies or practices. Heavily dependent on the use of labeling schemes. 4

5 Political Consumerism Attitudinal and Behavioral Components: Behavior Political consumers must actually buy or boycott certain goods and services for political or ethical reasons. Awareness and Motivation Political consumers must be motivated by political and ethical considerations, or see responsible shopping as a form of citizenship. Frequency and Habit Political consumers must buy or boycott certain goods and services frequently and habitually. Source: Stolle et al. (2005). Politics in the supermarket: Political consumerism as a form of political participation. International Political Science Review 26, p Four Questions: Is political consumerism a new phenomenon? Who are political consumers today? Does political consumerism crowd out other, more traditional forms of participation? What motivates green political consumers? Is political consumerism new? United States most noted for using boycotts as a political tool. Disenfranchised individuals politicized the marketplace to express political grievances and affect change. E.g., Colonists, women and African Americans Historical examples illustrate how private concerns can become political. 5

6 Is political consumerism new? Green Consumerism Everyday, market-based environmental movement that emphasizes the role of individual citizens and consumers in making our planet more sustainable. It also empowers and encourages citizens to take more responsibility for their personal and collective well-being. Origins in the modern environmental movement Grew out of frustration with governments ability to solve environmental problems. Premised on the idea that economic prosperity and environmental concerns are compatible. Heavily reliant on the use of labeling schemes and certification programs, to make informed choices. Who are Political Consumers? Well educated Younger Female Income? Party ID? Regional Differences? Education Level People who are well educated are more likely to participate. Some HS HS Diploma Some College College Graduate Buycotting 31% 19% 29% 30% Boycotting 27% 24% 33% 43% Source: StrategyOne, Voting with their Wallets

7 Generational Divide Younger generations are more likely than older generations to participate. Age Age Age Age Age 65+ Buycotting 36% 24% 26% 25% 18% Boycotting 40% 33% 31% 34% 26% Source: StrategyOne, Voting with their Wallets 2011 Gender Gap Women are more likely than men to participate. Source: Stolle and Micheletti, The Gender Gap Reversed: Political Consumerism as a Women-Friendly Form of Civic and Political Engagement Party ID and Ideology? Overall, Democrats and liberals may be more likely than Republicans and conservatives to boycott and buycott products and services for political and ethical reasons. Other studies suggest Democrats and liberals may be more likely to engage in boycotting than Republicans and conservatives. Similarly, Republicans and conservatives may be more likely to engage in buycotting than Democrats and liberals. 7

8 Regional Differences? U.S. People on the West Coast may be more likely to buycott and boycott a product or service for political or ethical reasons. North East Midwest South West Buycotting 22% 26% 26% 33% Boycotting 23% 39% 33% 37% Source: StrategyOne, Voting with their Wallets 2011 Does political consumerism crowd out other, more traditional forms of participation? Political consumers are among the most politically interested, knowledgeable, and engaged citizens. Political consumers engage in conventional and unconventional participation at higher levels than nonpolitical consumers. Political consumers are more likely to trust other citizens than non-political consumers. Political consumers believe their participation matters. Political consumerism complements traditional forms of political participation. Motivations Health E.g., your health, your family s health Environmental concerns E.g., environmental standards, sustainable development, preference for local producers, genetic engineering, use of pesticides in food Corporate practice/ethics E.g., limiting power of multi-national firms, fighting corporate practices, lack of trust in marketing claims 8

9 Motivations Animal welfare Social Justice E.g., human rights, workers rights, fighting child labor, working conditions, women s rights, lesbian and gay rights, fighting poverty, etc. Nationalistic concerns E.g., protecting your country s workforce, protecting your ethnic/racial/linguistic group, preventing terrorism in U.S., limiting the production or dealing with weapons, opposition to oppressive regimes Motivations: Variation by Gender Source: Stolle and Micheletti, The Gender Gap Reversed: Political Consumerism as a Women-Friendly Form of Civic and Political Engagement Motivations: Variation by Country Source: Stolle and Micheletti, The Gender Gap Reversed: Political Consumerism as a Women-Friendly Form of Civic and Political Engagement 9

10 Future Research There are very few studies of political consumerism in the U.S. Who are political consumers in the U.S.? What motivates or drives their behavior? How do they engage the political system in other ways, i.e., through conventional or unconventional participation? What explains the tendency for more women than men to politicize the marketplace through consumer behavior? 10