Influence of Political, Social and Economic Conditions on the Rise and Development of Consumer Protection Law

Abstract

Consumer protection law is one of the mechanisms forprotection of consumers. It comprises of both principal andsubsidiary legislation aiming at protecting consumers ' rightsfrom being abused by producers. It is viewed as anappropriate mechanism of protecting consumers due to itscoercive nature. However, the enactment and enforcementof such law depend on willingness of a state to do so.History shows that such willingness is influenced by political,social and economic interests which the state has topreserve. This article gives a brief historical account on howpolitical, social and economic conditions from medieval eraup to the present time has influenced legislative measurestaken by the state to protect consumers ' rights. This accountis crucial in grasping reasons why the consumer protectionlaw, be it in western developed countries or in the leastdeveloped countries like Tanzania, is in the form it is today.Keywords: consumer, law, consumer rights, consumer duties,consumer protection law.