Mikael Klintman

Abstract in Undetermined In media, policymaking and research, increasing attention is drawn to the phenomenon of ‘green political consumerism’, referring to consumerrelated practices that are based on concerns beyond the traditional criteria of product quality and price. Political consumerism is about expressing non-economic values, that is, values beyond the direct, economic self-interest of consumers. Such values may concern social conditions of farmers producing our food or the welfare of animals used in food production. Green political consumerism is a concept that highlights a concern for environmental conditions, although these concerns often overlap with social and animal-related ones (Boström & Klintman 2008). Micheletti (2003) has defi ned political consumerism as consumers’ ‘individualistic collective action’, practiced, for instance, through boycotting or buycotting certain products and services. For the purpose of this chapter, it is important to mention that there is a need to keep the defi nition of political consumerism subject to continuous discussion and debate. A main claim in this chapter is that it is particularly important not to equal green political consumption merely with purchases of eco-labeled products and services. To follow such principles of consumption or to have small ecological footprints due to smaller economic resources, for example, are two very diff erent things, which should both be of interest in debates about political consumerism.