Political Consumerism in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

This chapter compares political consumerism in Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as well as within the CEE region, using European Social Survey, Special Eurobarometer, Fairtrade sales, and qualitative data. The chapter begins by discussing the largely neglected legacy of the socialist era for political consumerism. The discussion then compares European countries along twenty-two aspects of political consumerism, encompassing everyday consumer choices, attitudes, and awareness. The chapter shows, first, that certain forms of political consumerism cross-cut the East-West divide. Second, it proposes a threefold classification of the CEE countries (Mainstreamer, Reluctant Comfortable, and Passively Willing). Finally, the chapter outlines a version of political consumerism, referred to as the embedded politics of everyday life, prevalent in CEE, which differs from its Western counterpart in that it is less linked to political action and more to everyday ethics, such as thrift and patriotism.

On Measuring Political Consumerism: An Exploratory Study Among Young People in the UK and in Greece

“…The aims and motivations underlying citizens' decisions to engage in acts of political consumption (Copeland, 2014b), the variety of political consumerist approaches (Lekakis, 2013(Lekakis, , 2015Zorell, 2018), and the various forms that it has assumed across countries (Kyroglou & Henn, 2020;Pellandini-Simányi & Gulyás, 2018) and over time (Micheletti et al, 2008), have each already been the focus of an extensive body of academic literature. However, the focus of enquiry varies considerably in each study.…”

Ethical consumption in Serbia: Analysing its prevalence and distinctiveness

“…It is precisely these kinds of research findings that indicate the need for further research of the local context -particularly bearing in mind that the boycott or buycott of goods is in many ways determined by the economic development of the country, the economic status of the population and the possibility of producing fair trade goods (Brković, 2013). Additionally, it should be explored whether this practice is motivated by political engagement or if it is fostered by ethics such as thrift, patriotism and economic nationalism (Marinković, Stanišić, Kostić, 2011;Pellandini-Simányi, Gulyás, 2019;Lekakis, 2017Lekakis, , 2018.…”