Coffee Activism and the Politics of Fair Trade and Ethical Consumption in the Global North: Political Consumerism and Cultural Citizenship (Consumption and Public Life)

This book explores the politics borne of consumption through the case of coffee activism and ethical consumption. It analyses the agencies, structures, repertoires and technologies of promotion and participation in the politics of fair trade consumption through an exploration of the relationship between activism and consumption. In a politically uncertain and distrusted world, citizens appear to be seeking political expression in their everyday lives and quite prominently in their consumption practices. In advanced consumer societies, the politics of consumption have come to the centre stage. This book elaborates on the grounded perceptions, practices and problematizations of the equation of political action and market action. It presents the opportunities and hindrances of alternative forms of partaking in civic life by exploring how coffee activism presents a fruitful opportunity for citizens to participate in political life, how cultural citizenship can offer insights into the operation of everyday politics and how neoliberal narratives are framing discourses of coffee activism. The politics behind products can illuminate global tensions and engage citizens in social justice, but at the same time can confine civic action in the marketplace and anesthetise political action Front Matter....Pages i-ix Understanding Coffee Activism, Ethical Consumption and Political Consumerism....Pages 1-21 A History of Mainstreaming the Fair Trade Market and Movement....Pages 22-45 Politics in the Marketopoly: Cultural Citizenship and Political Consumerism....Pages 46-68 In Politics I Trust: Individualisation and the Politics and Pleasures of the Self....Pages 69-92 A Liquid Politics: Structures and Narratives of Participation in Digital Coffee Activism....Pages 93-115 Digital Media, Space and Politics: Cosmopolitan Citizenship in Coffee Activism....Pages 116-143 A Politics in the Pocket?....Pages 144-159 Back Matter....Pages 160-204