The role of consumer research and consumer advocacy in defining and promoting the consumer interest

In response to Karpatkin's (1999) article, the author identifies and discus ses two critical but often overlooked questions for policymakers, consumer advocates, and consumer researchers. First, what exactly is the consumer in terest? Second, what is the role of consumer research and consumer advocacy in promoting that interest? Using the minimum wage as an example, the auth or argues that policies adopted to improve consumer welfare often harm some of the very people they are intended to help. She raises the question of w hether a universal "consumer interest" exists in a world of heterogeneous c onsumers. She further discusses the complementary but distinct roles of adv ocacy and research in identifying and promoting policies that improve socia l welfare.