On Sensitivity and Disability: Political Consumerism, Social-Political Entrepreneurship and Social Justice

Abstract

Abstract Why do entrepreneurs choose to use consumer power as an alternative political channel in order to create social and political change? What are the conditions that lead them to adopt this strategy? The main purpose of this article is to offer a theoretical framework to discuss political consumerism strategy used by social entrepreneurs, those who seek to influence political norms in society, the conduct of the business market, and the shaping of public policy. The theoretical model, which this article intends to propose, is based on the new institutional approach (Neo-Institutionalism) and on the principles of the rational choice theory. The article suggests an explanatory variable in the form of political consumerism as an alternative means for political participation (alternative politics), which is influenced by structural, political, economic, and cultural conditions as well as by rational cost-benefit calculations made by entrepreneurs. For an empirical study of the proposed theoretical framework, the article analyzes two campaigns where the entrepreneurs employed political consumerism as a primary action strategy to promote issues related to social justice as institutional changes in Israel. The first of these was the campaign launched by the “Bema’agalei Tzedek” (“Paths of Righteousness”) Society for workers’ rights and the rights of the disabled; the second one was the campaign led by the consumer movement known as “Israel Yekara Lanu” against the cottage cheese producers as part of the social protest in the summer of 2011.