This document examines the underlying rationale for the development of a global approach in consumer studies. The concept of consumer ethics is discussed and the consumer decision-making process is placed within an ecosystem perspective of the marketplace. The model developed introduces educators, marketers, and consumers to a more global perspective from which theory could consider consumer decisions. This model has as its starting point the commodity, product, or service under consideration; the questions emanating from it raise such issues as the environmental, social, political, economic, and health-related factors that affect the product. In this model, consumer decisions must be seen as a part of a personal and societal system in which all parts are related. An introduction and five other chapters are included: (1) theoretical framework; (2) ethics in consumer decision making; (3) the decision maker from a macroscopic perspective; (4) the consumer decision in a global context; and (5) the global approach to consumer education. Two appendices include: (1) an extensive resource list--48 books, 51 related articles, 8 consumer behavior/resource management texts, 8 audiovisual resources, and 7 other resources; and (2) the consumer education model. (NLA)