Tasting Politics? The Relationship Between Neoliberalism, Political Consumerism, and the Slow Food Movement

Abstract

The literature lacks a comprehensive analysis of how neoliberalism, political consumerism, and the slow food movement collectively shape contemporary socio-political landscapes, particularly within the context of food politics and consumer behaviour. This article aims to fill this gap by investigating the complex interplay between neoliberalism, political consumerism, and the slow food movement. The research synthesises insights from sociology, food politics, and economic theories to provide a multidimensional understanding of these interactions. The findings reveal that neoliberalism, through its emphasis on market efficiency and individual responsibility, has created conditions that both necessitate and facilitate political consumerism. The slow food movement, as a form of political consumerism, emerged as a response to the homogenisation and ethical void perpetuated by neoliberal market dynamics. The study also highlights the dual role of the slow food movement as both a critique of neoliberalism and a potential tool for perpetuating neoliberal ideologies through consumer-driven activism. This research contributes to the literature by offering a nuanced understanding of how neoliberalism drives political consumerism and how the slow food movement functions within this framework. The originality of this study lies in its integrative approach, combining insights from multiple disciplines to analyse the intersection of neoliberalism, political consumerism, and the slow food movement. This study offers a fresh perspective on the role of consumer behaviour in shaping political and cultural discourses in the context of food politics.