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Políticas municipais de promoção dos direitos dos consumidores em Cabo Verde: uma resposta à assimetria de informação?
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Abstract(s)
Num contexto marcado por baixos níveis de literacia, escassa digitalização e limitada
presença institucional, a assimetria de informação surge como uma falha de mercado
estrutural que compromete a equidade e a eficiência nas relações de consumo. Em
territórios periféricos como o Município de Mosteiros, esta desigualdade informacional
acentua a vulnerabilidade dos consumidores e enfraquece os mecanismos de proteção
jurídica disponíveis. Com base numa revisão crítica da literatura económica e jurídica, a
investigação sustenta-se na tipologia de instrumentos de políticas públicas proposta por
Weimer e Vining (2017), valorizando o papel dos governos locais na mitigação das
distorções do mercado. A análise empírica, baseada num inquérito por questionário à
população local, revela um quadro preocupante: grande parte dos consumidores
desconhece os seus direitos, não reconhece entidades de apoio e enfrenta, com frequência,
práticas comerciais abusivas. Ainda assim, manifesta-se um elevado grau de recetividade
à criação de um serviço municipal de apoio ao consumidor. Deste diagnóstico resulta a
proposta de um Serviço Municipal de Informação e Apoio ao Consumidor (SMIAC),
enquanto resposta institucional concreta, ancorada na proximidade e na confiança. A
investigação conclui que os municípios cabo-verdianos, mesmo com recursos limitados,
estão em posição de intervir ativamente na defesa do consumidor, contribuindo para a
justiça económica local e para a concretização do ODS 16. A criação do SMIAC revela-se,
por isso, uma forma concreta de materializar esse potencial interventivo dos municípios na
promoção da literacia e no reforço da posição dos consumidores nas relações de mercado.
In a context characterised by low literacy levels, limited digitalisation, and weak institutional presence, information asymmetry arises as a fundamental market failure that undermines both equity and efficiency in consumer relations. In peripheral areas such as the Municipality of Mosteiros, this informational inequality increases consumer vulnerability and hampers the effectiveness of available legal protections. Based on a critical review of economic and legal literature, the research utilises the typology of public policy instruments proposed by Weimer and Vining (2017), highlighting the role of local governments in correcting market distortions. The empirical analysis, derived from a survey among the local population, reveals a worrying situation: many consumers are unaware of their rights, do not recognise support organisations, and often face abusive commercial practices. Nevertheless, there is a strong willingness to establish a municipal consumer support service. This leads to the proposal of creating a Municipal Consumer Information and Support Service (SMIAC) as a specific institutional response rooted in proximity and trust. The study concludes that Cape Verdean municipalities, even with limited resources, can actively participate in consumer protection, contributing to local economic justice and supporting SDG 16 achievement. The establishment of the SMIAC thus offers a concrete way for local governments to promote consumer literacy and strengthen consumer rights within market relationships.
In a context characterised by low literacy levels, limited digitalisation, and weak institutional presence, information asymmetry arises as a fundamental market failure that undermines both equity and efficiency in consumer relations. In peripheral areas such as the Municipality of Mosteiros, this informational inequality increases consumer vulnerability and hampers the effectiveness of available legal protections. Based on a critical review of economic and legal literature, the research utilises the typology of public policy instruments proposed by Weimer and Vining (2017), highlighting the role of local governments in correcting market distortions. The empirical analysis, derived from a survey among the local population, reveals a worrying situation: many consumers are unaware of their rights, do not recognise support organisations, and often face abusive commercial practices. Nevertheless, there is a strong willingness to establish a municipal consumer support service. This leads to the proposal of creating a Municipal Consumer Information and Support Service (SMIAC) as a specific institutional response rooted in proximity and trust. The study concludes that Cape Verdean municipalities, even with limited resources, can actively participate in consumer protection, contributing to local economic justice and supporting SDG 16 achievement. The establishment of the SMIAC thus offers a concrete way for local governments to promote consumer literacy and strengthen consumer rights within market relationships.
Description
Keywords
Defesa do consumidor Políticas municipais Assimetria de informação Mosteiros Cabo Verde ODS 16