Ethics problem

POINT OF DIFFERENCE

CONSUMER INTEREST

PUBLIC INTEREST

Meaning

The areas in which the consumers as a whole are benefitted is called consumer interest.

The areas in which the “society as a whole” has some interest is called public interest.

Members

Consumer is a member of a broad class of people who purchase, use, maintain & dispose of product & services.

Society is a collection of subsystems, e.g. consumers, manufacturers, distributors, input suppliers, service providers, etc.

Factors

Consumers are affected by pricing policies, financing practices, quality of goods & services and various trade practices.

Public interest reflects the morals during period & also the established interest of the society.

Scope

Consumer interest is restricted in scope as it is only a sub-system of a larger system i.e. general public/society.

Public interest is wider in scope in comparison to consumer interest.

Examples

Formulation of Competition Act, Regulation of Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Courts etc.

Maintenance of Law & Order, Providing for Defence of the country etc.