Political Science

Not until recently has consumer culture been a dominant area in the discipline of political science. Traditionally, scholars have studied consumer politics theoretically and empirically through the dominant paradigm in political science that focuses on the inputs, outputs, and outcomes of political action. This paradigm implies careful study of the role of civil society and the state in representing and protecting consumer interest. On the input side of politics, political scientists have studied the role of citizens, social movements, and interest groups in lobbying government to enact laws to protect consumers and to promote consumer rights. This field of investigation has involved theoretical and empirical analysis of how interest groups and social movements mobilize the interests of consumers and lobby government. Interviews with organizational leaders, ...