This work is a survey of the enormous number of writings on consumption produced over the last decade. The theorization of consumption is something which increasingly dominates economic, political and social debate - whether parent, passenger or patient, we are all "consumers". This book includes contributions from leading researchers in the field. There are chapters on consumption studies in anthropology, consumer behaviour, economics, geography, history, media studies, psychology and sociology. This is an interdisciplinary overview which provides new theories, critical analyses and the latest research on this topic. Each subject area includes a review of the literature, a general assessment of the impact of the new work in the discipline as a whole, and ends with case studies exemplifying recent trends. It should be of use to students of consumption, students of the many disciplines covered in this book, and for anyone interested in the consumer society.
Industry Reviews
'The contributions provide full - and often stimulating discussions of the ways in which the individual subjects have developed their approaches towards consumption.' - Business History
'At last! A book on consumption that is empirically oriented and theoretically informed - and cares about the work it is describing. An impressive collection that also summarises the history of consumption studies as well as adding to it.' - J. Purkis, Manchester Metropolitan University
'Excellent up-to-date coverage of this rapidly developing field [with] cutting-edge authors.' - Dr. Simon Locke, Kingston University
'Excellent review of cross-disciplinary thought on consumption.' - Dr. D. W. Marshall, Edinburgh University
'Anyone wanting a basic textbook for consumption courses, or needing to grapple themselves with this new consensual object of study among the disciplines of the social sciences, should start here' - Andrew Blake, Times Higher Education Supplement
'Acknowledging Consumption is an invaluable introductory orientation to consumption studies in the social and human sciences, and we will certainly both be mining its rich veins of further reading for some time to come.' - Transactions