Contradictions Of Consumption - Brossura

Edwards, T.

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0335199178 ISBN 13: 9780335199174

Casa editrice: Open University Press, 2000

Riassunto

"A critical introduction to the field that manages to be both considered and argumentative, and stands out distinctly from the more 'culturalist' alternatives available . . . it should provide a strong text for undergraduate courses." Don Slater, Goldsmiths College, University of London

* How has consumer society developed?
* What are the social divisions, politics and policies associated with consumption?
* How do consumer practices have social significance?

This lively and accessible text shows how consumption is increasingly important in dominating our individual lives and indeed the entire development and direction of contemporary society, nationally and internationally. Consumption is inherently contradictory in its nature and meaning. The most rapturous form of shopping, for example clothes purchasing on unlimited plastic in a shopping mall, may turn into the most tortuous as the shopper tires, the clothes don't fit, and the car park is cramped. Tim Edwards argues that the practice of consumption itself and consumer society more widely is often socially divisive and iniquitous, and examines the extent to which consumer power is real or illusory. He provides a thorough analysis and critique of the theories, practices and politics of consumer society. In particular, this book addresses the social divisions of consumption through topics such as fashion, advertising and marketing, as well as more classical and contemporary theories of consumer society. It will appeal to a wide range of students in sociology, cultural studies, social policy and the politics of identity.

Su questo libro

L'autore

/pas0/Tim Edwards is a lecturer in sociology at the University of Leicester. His previous works include Erotics and Politics (1994) and Men in the Mirror (1997). He has lectured and published widely on subjects relating to masculinity, sexuality and consumption.

Contenuti

Acknowledgements
Introduction
contradictions of consumption
Conceptions of consumption
From here to modernity
contemporary theories of consumer society
Marketing, advertising and the construction of the contemporary consumer
Never never land
social policy, social divisions and consumer society
Rapture or torture
the contemporary nature of shopping
Expression, oppression and the politics of consumption
Consuming passions
fashion and consumer society
Consumer futures
consumer society and postmodernity
Conclusion
hunger and desire in consumer society
References
Index.

Dettagli dell'edizione

• Editore: Open University Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2000
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0335199178
• ISBN 13: 9780335199174
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero edizione: 1
• Numero di pagine: 216
• Contatto del produttore: non disponibile
• Persona responsabile: non disponibile