Consumer Culture
2nd Edition
Will be published approx. on 5. April 2011
Book
Hardback
284 pages
978-0-7456-4329-8 (ISBN)
Description
The second edition of Consumer Culture brings this successful introductory textbook right up-to-date for students who are interested in the nature and role of consumption in modern societies. It introduces the importance of new object-based studies for consumer culture, as well as adding new chapters on branding and the rise of ethical consumption.
Drawing on a wide range of studies, and using contemporary illustrations from the media and popular culture, 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. The powerful role consumption plays in our lives is thus revealed as consumer culture is seen to provide new ways of creating social and political identities.
Drawing on a wide range of studies, and using contemporary illustrations from the media and popular culture, 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. The powerful role consumption plays in our lives is thus revealed as consumer culture is seen to provide new ways of creating social and political identities.
Reviews / Votes
"In a now vast literature Celia Lury's new edition stands out for its clarity and critical intelligence. In addition to offering a a guide through the thicket of new and old approaches, this book provides readers with a map to explore how consumption shapes personal and group identities."Frank Trentmann, Birkbeck College
"Consumer Culture is a gem of a book. Celia Lury writes with insight, timeliness, and a thorough mastery of the subject. The general reader, the scholar, and the student will read Consumer Culture with the disturbing kind of satisfaction that comes from learning just how deeply consumerism has become a way of life."
Charles Lemert, Wesleyan University
"Consumer culture is everywhere but we rarely see it. In this second revised edition, Celia Lury takes a number of vivid scenes from our daily lives and provides helpful cultural grounding for questioning our ordinary experiences as consumers. Well organized and well written, the book provides an articulated picture of an increasingly fundamental aspect of contemporary cultures, stressing the role that ethics, subjectivity and difference have in shaping what consumer culture is today. Offering theoretical definitions and practical examples, this is a user-friendly book which will attract many readers and help them through the predicament of consumer choice and its increasingly relevant symbolic centrality for subjectivity constitution."
Roberta Sassatelli, University of Milan
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
548 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7456-4329-8 (9780745643298)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Previous edition
Person
Celia Lury is Professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Content
Introduction: What is consumer culture?
Chapter 1 Material Culture and Consumer Culture
Chapter 2 Exchanging things: the economy and culture
Chapter 3 Objects, subjects and signs
Chapter 4 Capital, class and consumer culture
Chapter 5 Circuits of culture: gender, race and reflexivity
Chapter 6 Brands: markets, media and movement
Chapter 7 Consuming ethics, or What goes around, comes around
Chapter 8 Consumer Culture, Identity and Politics: when are you (not) a consumer?
Bibliography
Chapter 1 Material Culture and Consumer Culture
Chapter 2 Exchanging things: the economy and culture
Chapter 3 Objects, subjects and signs
Chapter 4 Capital, class and consumer culture
Chapter 5 Circuits of culture: gender, race and reflexivity
Chapter 6 Brands: markets, media and movement
Chapter 7 Consuming ethics, or What goes around, comes around
Chapter 8 Consumer Culture, Identity and Politics: when are you (not) a consumer?
Bibliography