Reorientation in Consumer Policy – Challenges and Prospects From the Perspective of Practical Consumer Advice Work

Abstract

Against the background of a brief description of the activities of the largest regional consumer organization in Germany, the Consumer Association of North Rhine-Westphalia, and of current social changes which call for a more proactive public consumer policy, the author offers four theses which in his view characterize the present state of affairs: (1) Politicians must undertake social reform in a “consumer-friendly way” – this now happens far too little; (2) The Knowledge Society does not lead in and of itself to greater consumer sovereignty; (3) The Consumer Associations can and must provide support amidst processes of change; and (4) Consumer organizations need to be given sufficient resources in order to fulfil their tasks. Several examples are given of current initiatives aimed at such fulfilment.