Consumer Culture

Consumer Culture is written as an introductory textbook for students who are interested in the nature and role of consumption in modern societies. Drawing on a wide range of studies, the author examines the rise of consumer culture and the changing relations between the production and consumption of cultural goods. She argues that consumer culture has become increasingly stylized and now provides an important context for everyday creativity. The author explores the way an individual's position in social groups structured by class, gender, race and age affects the nature of his or her participation in consumer culture. She also argues that this has contributed to changes in the way in which individuals belong to these social groups. Consumer culture is thus seen to provide new ways of creating social and political identities. Clearly written and well illustrated, this book is a lively and engaging introduction to a topic which is of growing importance in media and cultural studies and the sociology of culture.