"This is an outstanding book that analyzes the complexities of the 'conscientious consumer' movement in several global industries. The authors do an excellent job of outlining the debates surrounding efforts to promote decent labor and environmental conditions through various initiatives aimed at promoting ethical consumption and then illustrate the difficulties in implementing these schemes across different industries (apparel, footwear, food, wood and paper, and electronics industries) and nations. This book nicely blends theory with rich empirical evidence and case studies in ways that are easily accessible to all readers interested in learning more about conscientious consumerism. This is a must read for anyone interested in promoting social and environmental justice in today's world." —Richard M. Locke, Watson Institute, Brown University
"These authors convincingly demonstrate that efforts to address the labor and environmental implications of contemporary production processes are complex. By going 'behind the label' of everyday items such as smart phones and sweatshirts, the authors grapple with the tensions between claims for ethical production, the realities of complex global industries, and the frequently competing interests of the diverse constituencies seeking to shape these supply chains. Above all, they deliver a sober and clear-eyed defense of conscientious consumption as one element in a broader strategy for pursuing a more just and sustainable global economy." —Jennifer Bair, University of Colorado at Boulder
"This book advances our understanding of the new dynamics of social regulation in the global economy, analyzing both the rise of new consumption patterns through ethical purchasing, boycotts, and buycotts and the emergence of eco and social certification systems shaping the production of key commodities like timber, food, apparel, and electronics." —Laura T. Raynolds, Colorado State University
Review in Contemporary Sociology (Nov. 2016)
Review in Social Forces (March 2016)
Review on the Mobilizing Ideas blog
Response on the University of Manchester Global Development Institute group blog
Guest blog post: Three Ways to Make Conscientious Consumption More Productive
Related article in Americas Quarterly (by Gustavo Setrini): Harvesting Hope: Can global certifications like Fairtrade help the agricultural poor reap the benefits of globalized trade?
A few resources for further exploring topics in the book:
Michael Hobbes, "The Myth of the Ethical Shopper:" http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/the-myth-of-the-ethical-shopper/ (See Bartley's response.)
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre: http://business-humanrights.org/
Commodity Histories: http://www.commodityhistories.org/
Global Regulation database: https://www.global-regulation.com/
Ecolabel Index: http://www.ecolabelindex.com/
Forests, palm oil, and global warming--Years of Living Dangerously premiere episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brvhCnYvxQQ
The problems of fast fashion--segment on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdLf4fihP78&feature=share
Worker poisoning in the electronics industry in China--recent investigative report in Wired magazine: http://www.wired.com/2015/04/inside-chinese-factories/ (and related documentary film in progress: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-pays-the-price-the-human-cost-of-electronics--4#/story)