Sympathetic Consumer: Moral Critique in Capitalist Culture

Consumers have struggled with the anonymity of consumer goods in capitalist societies, which has led to activist movements such as the Sympathetic Consumer. This book documents the similarities shared by these movements over three centuries, showing how activists wrestled with the broader implications of commodity exchange and concluded that consumers were responsible for sympathizing with invisible laborers.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 280 pages
\n Publication date: 01 May 2021
\n Publisher: Stanford University Press
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When individuals encounter consumer goods such as sugar, clothing, and phones, they often lack comprehensive information about their origins. Consequently, these goods remain anonymous, and the labor involved in their production, as well as the intricate supply chain they traversed, remain concealed. In his book, Tad Skotnicki contends that this encounter is a fundamental characteristic of capitalist societies, a struggle that consumers have grappled with for centuries through activist movements he refers to as the Sympathetic Consumer.

This book serves as a comprehensive documentation of the uncanny similarities observed across three centuries of consumer activism. It explores the transatlantic abolitionist movement, the consumer movements in the United States and England at the turn of the twentieth century, and contemporary Fair Trade activism. Through a comparative historical analysis, the book vividly depicts how activists engaged with the broader implications of commodity exchange. These activists arrived at a shared understanding of the relationship between consumers, producers, and goods, ultimately concluding that consumers should sympathize with invisible laborers.

Skotnicki offers a valuable framework for identifying a capitalist culture by examining how individuals interpret everyday phenomena that are essential to it. By delving into the origins and implications of consumer goods, this book provides a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics shaping our economic and social world. It sheds light on the historical roots of consumer activism and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by individuals seeking to make informed choices and advocate for fair practices in the marketplace.

\n Weight: 428g\n
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781503627734\n \n