ABSTRACT
Beginning in the 1970s, Germany and France experienced a rapid growth in political activity focused on consumption. In Germany the number of consumer-related laws grew from a total of 25 in 1971, to 338 in 1978. 1 In France the number of laws and ministerial decrees relating to consumption increased from a total of 37 in 1971, to 94 in 1978. 2 Government funding to consumer organizations increased fourfold in both France and Germany during this period. This display of government solicitude was mirrored in both countries by apparently genuine consumer concern over product quality and price. One indication was the growing popularity at the time of consumer magazines offering the results of comparative product tests. In France, the combined distribution of the journals Que Choisir? and 50 Millions de Consommateurs grew from 90,000 in 1971, to over 700,000 in 1975. In Germany, circulation of the journal Test grew from 120,000 to 510,000 over the same period.
