The Normative Limits of Consumer Citizenship

Kallhoff, Angela

doi:10.1007/s10806-015-9586-3

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…(2) "Consumer citizenship". This domain refers to a variety of actions that fall into the political realm of consumer activism (e.g., de Tavernier, 2012;Müller, 2020;Schrader, 2007; see also Kallhoff, 2016 for a critical discussion). Examples of actions typically associated with political consumerism include boycotts, "buycotts" (i.e., deliberate purchase), various discursive actions, and lifestyle choices (e.g., Micheletti et al, 2012).…”

Section: The Consumer As a Co-creator Of A Sustainable Bioeconomy?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Time to Say ‘Good Buy’ to the Passive Consumer? A Conceptual Review of the Consumer in the Bioeconomy

Wilke

Schlaile

Urmetzer

et al. 2021

J Agric Environ Ethics

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Successful transitions to a sustainable bioeconomy require novel technologies, processes, and practices as well as a general agreement about the overarching normative direction of innovation. Both requirements necessarily involve collective action by those individuals who purchase, use, and co-produce novelties: the consumers. Based on theoretical considerations borrowed from evolutionary innovation economics and consumer social responsibility, we explore to what extent consumers’ scope of action is addressed in the scientific bioeconomy literature. We do so by systematically reviewing bioeconomy-related publications according to (i) the extent to which consumers are regarded as passive vs. active, and (ii) different domains of consumer responsibility (depending on their power to influence economic processes). We find all aspects of active consumption considered to varying degrees but observe little interconnection between domains. In sum, our paper contributes to the bioeconomy literature by developing a novel coding scheme that allows us to pinpoint different aspects of consumer activity, which have been considered in a rather isolated and undifferentiated manner. Combined with our theoretical considerations, the results of our review reveal a central research gap which should be taken up in future empirical and conceptual bioeconomy research. The system-spanning nature of a sustainable bioeconomy demands an equally holistic exploration of the consumers’ prospective and shared responsibility for contributing to its coming of age, ranging from the procurement of information on bio-based products and services to their disposal.

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Section: The Consumer As a Co-creator Of A Sustainable Bioeconomy?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Time to Say ‘Good Buy’ to the Passive Consumer? A Conceptual Review of the Consumer in the Bioeconomy

Wilke

Schlaile

Urmetzer

et al. 2021

J Agric Environ Ethics

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“…The notion of citizen-consumers actively choosing verified products was combined with, and constrained by, a rejection of those products that did not meet the required standards. The Fairtrade narrative of consumer demand was now bound by the limits of a qualified notion of citizenship, and informed by ideas of simpler living (Kallhoff, 2016). Likewise, the narrative of co-operation and solidarity was reshaped to reflect a shift away from the geo-political concerns of 'progressive governments' and a greater focus on uniting producers, workers, consumers and activists in a global agenda for change.…”

Section: [Insert Figure 2: Fairtrade Theory Of Change: Citizen-consummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, "Citizen" and "Consumer" remain difficult terms to define and exist in a complex relationship (Gjerris et al, 2016). Kallhoff (2016) argues that duties and rights receive a distinct shape when debated in terms of consumer citizenship. From a philosophical and moral theory perspective, this qualified notion of citizenship recognises that "as citizens, consumers are not free to choose as wish" (Kallhoff, 2016, p. 24).…”

Section: Research Background and Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fair trade and consumer social responsibility

Anderson

2018

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the historical position of the ethical consumer as a driver of change within the Fair Trade movement. Fair Trade was originally envisaged as a model of South-North trade; however, with Fair Trade labels now available to consumers in India, Brazil, South Africa and Kenya, the geographies of production and consumption appear increasingly fluid and dynamic. Design/methodology/approach Using a historical comparative case study approach this paper draws on the records and archives from eight leading Fair Trade organisations based in the UK. Findings The paper develops an exploratory framework based on an assessment of Fair Trade’s theory(ies) of change and the role of the ethical consumer as an agent of change. Four consumer narratives are identified: simpler living and moral action; co-operation and solidarity; consumer demand and choice; and citizen-consumers. The paper concludes by considering the implications for globalising the concept of the “citizen-consumer” and the (re)politicisation of Fair Trade consumption. Research limitations/implications Primary data collection was mainly based on UK organisations. Additional comparative studies could develop an understanding of the context and geographies of Fair Trade practices. Practical implications New and emerging Fair Trade markets may offer valuable areas of further study. Social implications Increased understanding of the drivers of social change may lead to improved decision-making by Fair Trade organisations and policy-makers. Originality/value The paper contributes to the development and understanding of Fair Trade’s theory of change model by offering an historical dimension that is absent from the majority of existing studies.

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“…This systemic view also includes consumers who, for example, are necessary for an optimal use of bio-based products because consumers have to help keep resources within the cycle by practicing the correct ways of disposing of waste (Zeug et al, 2019). After all, consumer behavior and its ethical implications (Sandin & Röcklinsberg, 2016) are decisive elements with respect to the sustainable development of any economic system because it drives the consumption, production, and use of products (Kallhoff, 2016). On the same level as corporate social responsibility, consumers' responsibility involves (a) product choice, (b) product use and recycling, and (c) an influence on marketeconomy conditions (Heidbrink & Schmidt, 2011;Jacobsen & Dulsrud, 2007;Schmidt, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tying Up Loose Ends. Integrating Consumers’ Psychology into a Broad Interdisciplinary Perspective on a Circular Sustainable Bioeconomy

Otto

Hildebrandt

Will

et al. 2021

J Agric Environ Ethics

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A shift towards a bioeconomy is not sustainable per se. In order to contribute to sustainable development, a bioeconomy must meet certain conditions. These conditions have been discussed with respect to technology and also to the importance of ethical aspects. Consumers’ behavior has also been acknowledged. However, consumers still have to choose sustainable consumption options, and this choice depends on their psychological makeup, which can be related to two factors: behavioral costs and individual sustainability motivation. Behavioral costs determine how difficult the consumption of a bio-based product is, relative to other less sustainable consumption options. Sustainability motivation determines how much effort a person is willing to expend for a more sustainable consumption option, for the sustainable use and recycling of a product, or even to refrain from engaging in consumption. In addition, in a complex bioeconomic system, the sustainability of a bio-based consumption option is not always clear cut. After providing an introduction to the systemic and technological background of bio-based products, we present how consumers’ sustainability motivation is an essential and decisive pull factor for a circular sustainable bioeconomy. We also present the drivers of consumers’ sustainability motivation as necessary components of a sustainable bioeconomic system.

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The Normative Limits of Consumer Citizenship

Abstract: In political philosophy,

Cited by 8 publications

References 25 publications

Time to Say ‘Good Buy’ to the Passive Consumer? A Conceptual Review of the Consumer in the Bioeconomy

Time to Say ‘Good Buy’ to the Passive Consumer? A Conceptual Review of the Consumer in the Bioeconomy

Fair trade and consumer social responsibility

Tying Up Loose Ends. Integrating Consumers’ Psychology into a Broad Interdisciplinary Perspective on a Circular Sustainable Bioeconomy

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