Consumer Rights and Protections

How did industrialization drive the development of consumer rights and protections in the USA? How have these laws defended consumers against business fraud, deceptive advertising, industrial pollution, and unsafe or unethical practices? Why have opinions about the value of consumer rights and the need for business regulation become so politically polarizing? Which activists, laws, events, and agencies have had the greatest impact on consumer rights? This all-in-one resource answers these questions and many more, providing readers with insights into the past, present, and possible futures of consumer rights in America.The book''s opening chapters explore the history and evolution of consumer rights, paying particular attention to the laws and arguments upon which those protections were built and hold continued importance. Later chapters explore how consumer rights have evolved in specific industries, including food and beverage; cosmetics; health care and pharmaceutical; transportation; and banking and finance. Together, this coverage provides a wide-ranging resource for understanding the state of consumer protection and business regulation in the 21st century.>

Préface
A fact-checking resource for understanding the history and evolution of consumer rights and protections in the USA.

Auteur
Nancy Hendricks holds a doctorate in education and is an award-winning author whose books include Women's Equality in America: Examining the Facts (Bloomsbury, 2024).

Contenu

How to Use This Book Introduction Chapter 1. Consumer Rights and Protections in America Q1: How did industrialization affect the rise of consumer rights and protections? Q2: What are the politics involved in consumer rights and protections? Q3: Who were significant individuals and groups in the early rise of consumer protections? Q4: What figures were involved with consumer rights and protections after 1906? Chapter 2. Federal Laws and Agencies Overseeing Consumer Rights and Protections Q5: What were early laws governing consumer rights and protections? Q6: How did the New Deal affect consumer rights and protections? Q7: What contemporary consumer protection laws have been enacted? Q8: Which federal agencies currently oversee consumer rights and protections? Chapter 3. Disputed Issues Involving Consumer Rights and Protections Q9: Do consumer protection laws and agencies lead to a "nanny state"? Q10: Is advertising exempt from consumer protection laws under the First Amendment? Q11: Do consumer rights and protections cover the alleged "pink tax"? Chapter 4. Consumer Rights and Protections for Food and Beverages Q12: How did fertilizer play a part in consumer rights and protections? Q13: Why were the "Margarine Wars" and "Pure Ketchup" campaign significant in consumer protections for food? Q14: How did the "Poison Squad" affect the cause of consumer rights and protections? Q15: What impact did the publication of The Jungle have on consumer rights and protections? Q16: Do consumer rights and protections cover the beverages we drink? Q17: Did consumer rights and protections for food eventually replace caveat emptor? Chapter 5. Consumer Rights and Protections for Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, and Healthcare Q18: Are cosmetics covered by consumer rights and protections? Q19: Do consumer rights and protections safeguard over-the-counter products? Q20: What role did the American Chamber of Horrors play in modern consumer protections? Q21: Are there consumer rights and protections for prescription drugs? Q22: Is healthcare shielded from consumer rights and protections? Chapter 6. Consumer Rights and Protections in Transportation Q23: What role did Ralph Nader play in automotive consumer rights and protections? Q24: Do consumer rights and protections cover the automotive industry and car sales? Q25: Are railroads accountable for consumer rights and protections? Q26: What consumer rights and protections cover air travel? Chapter 7. Consumer Rights and Protections in Finance and Technology Q27: Are consumer rights and protections really necessary in financial matters? Q28: Has fraud been part of the evolution of financial consumer protections? Q29: What roles did Charles Ponzi, Bernard Madoff, and Sarah Howe play in financial consumer protections? Q30: How did the Savings and Loan Scandal affect consumer financial protections? Q31: How has the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau affected consumers in financial transactions? Q32: Are there consumer protections that cover emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence?