Addictive Consumption

Capitalism, Modernity and Excess

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Addictive Consumption by Gerda Reith, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gerda Reith ISBN: 9780429875649
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 3, 2018
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Gerda Reith
ISBN: 9780429875649
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 3, 2018
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In this engaging new book, Gerda Reith explores key theoretical concepts in the sociology of consumption. Drawing on the ideas of Foucault, Marx and Bataille, amongst others, she investigates the ways that understandings of ‘the problems of consumption’ change over time, and asks what these changes can tell us about their wider social and political contexts. Through this, she uses ideas about both consumption and addiction to explore issues around identity and desire, excess and control and reason and disorder. She also assesses how our concept of 'normal' consumption has grown out of efforts to regulate behaviour historically considered as disruptive or deviant, and how in the contemporary world the 'dark side' of consumption has been medicalised in terms of addiction, pathology and irrationality. By drawing on case studies of drugs, food and gambling, the volume demonstrates the ways in which modern practices of consumption are rooted in historical processes and embedded in geopolitical structures of power. It not only asks how modern consumer culture came to be in the form it is today, but also questions what its various manifestations can tell us about wider issues in capitalist modernity.

Addictive Consumption offers a compelling new perspective on the origins, development and problems of consumption in modern society. The volume’s interdisciplinary profile will appeal to scholars and students in sociology, psychology, history, philosophy and anthropology.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this engaging new book, Gerda Reith explores key theoretical concepts in the sociology of consumption. Drawing on the ideas of Foucault, Marx and Bataille, amongst others, she investigates the ways that understandings of ‘the problems of consumption’ change over time, and asks what these changes can tell us about their wider social and political contexts. Through this, she uses ideas about both consumption and addiction to explore issues around identity and desire, excess and control and reason and disorder. She also assesses how our concept of 'normal' consumption has grown out of efforts to regulate behaviour historically considered as disruptive or deviant, and how in the contemporary world the 'dark side' of consumption has been medicalised in terms of addiction, pathology and irrationality. By drawing on case studies of drugs, food and gambling, the volume demonstrates the ways in which modern practices of consumption are rooted in historical processes and embedded in geopolitical structures of power. It not only asks how modern consumer culture came to be in the form it is today, but also questions what its various manifestations can tell us about wider issues in capitalist modernity.

Addictive Consumption offers a compelling new perspective on the origins, development and problems of consumption in modern society. The volume’s interdisciplinary profile will appeal to scholars and students in sociology, psychology, history, philosophy and anthropology.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Advertising and the World Wide Web by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Islamic Law and Society in Iran by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Joseph Banks and the British Museum by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Women, Religion and Culture in Iran by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Critical Issues in School-based Mental Health by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book The Interplay of Truth and Deception: New Agendas in Theory and Research by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book The Social Purposes of Education by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Making European Masculinities by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book The Religionization of Israeli Society by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book English Corpus Linguistics by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Evaluating Family Programs by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book FAQs for School Inspection by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Footbinding, Feminism and Freedom by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book Financing Terrorism by Gerda Reith
Cover of the book China's Social Development and Policy by Gerda Reith
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy