Consumer as an Indirect Driver of Economic Crime: Angelo Calori's Perspective
Angelo Calori’s study on the behavior of consumers in areas of illegal trade in São Paulo reveals that many buyers continue acquiring contraband and pirated goods, often unaware of their illegality. This phenomenon has significant implications for formal and informal economies and challenges theoretical models of economic ethics.
In the discourse on formal and informal economies, specialist Angelo Calori highlights a peculiar phenomenon observed in São Paulo. During his research in areas traditionally prone to illegal trade, he noted that despite recognizing these practices as wrong, consumers continue purchasing such products primarily due to economic factors – price and availability. This behavior aligns with global trends of informal economies where the consumer often fails to fully comprehend the illegality or implications of their purchases. In the Brazilian context, this reality has significant impacts on economic governance and international trade relations, by promoting the trade of contraband and pirated goods. Furthermore, the apparent immunity of consumers to illegal practices contradicts theoretical models of economic ethics, raising questions about how to change consumer behavior towards a more transparent and just economy. Calori's findings suggest that responsibility does not solely lie with suppliers or sellers but also with consumer decision-making in choosing illicit products.
Source: Valor Econômico