The document provides an overview of consumerism and the consumer's role in a free market economy. It discusses how consumers make decisions and face limitations in fully understanding products and pricing practices. The evolution of the consumer movement is also summarized, from early advocates improving food and drug safety to modern protections like Truth in Lending laws governing disclosure of credit terms. The chapter poses questions about satisfying consumer wants and how the economy functions to meet consumer needs.

1. Chapter 1 The Consumer in a Free Society

8. Organization and Operation of a Free Economy

16. Flow of Money in the Economy wages to interest to rent to profits to transfers to taxes to local, state, and federal governments retailers savings government current goods and services producers of raw materials processors wholesalers financial institutions Consumers who spend for who pay