Consumarchy & CSR

Abstract

Consumarchy and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are two concepts related to the expanded scope of societal responsibility for the private sector. Since the postwar period, changes in the political, economic and technological spheres have been a source of major opportunities for global businesses, but at the same time the origin of new responsibilities. These concepts are evolving as part of a broader redefinition of global economy. This paper will attempt to examine and compare both concepts and their application in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses on the construction of a more fair and inclusive globalization. Both CSR and consumarchy share the idea that changes in corporate behavior resulting in the public good of social responsibility could be achieved through the market by embedding certain values or principles into the cost/benefit analysis of private companies. While consumarchy offers a systemic approach in which consumers play a central role, CSR is perhaps more delimited although it involves a wide range of actors. The paper will start with a description of consumarchy, its theoretical framework and the assumptions for its spread. Then, it will analyze CSR, its history, objectives, implementation and challenges. A comparison will be offered by way of a conclusion.