Historicising Consumer Consciousness: States Response and Comparative Analysis of Modern Global Consumer Movement - An Indian Perspective

Consumer is the fundamental entity of market forces in 21 st century. But, their protection and empowerment have been a historical matter of concern where different states responded with different tactics. In the ancient times where the Hammurabi Code of law or Roman Emperor diktats showed the way in Europe, in India, it has been the Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras paving the way for subsequent laws on consumer protection. The medieval ages saw fall in trade and commerce practices still Allaudins market control or Protestants trade ethics guided the way. The modern era has seen the phases of consumer movement where modern laws from US to Britain or Africa to India have been an enlightening experience of research in this fast, digitalizing world. Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has been the lighthouse of Indian consumer movement where Right to Information, the hierarchical redressal mechanism and later wider interpretation of Art.21 resulted in NGT and its consumer friendly judgements. Consumerism is now ubiquitous and hence its study on the basis of historical experience paves for a better future ahead.