The Unmanageable Consumer

Business & Finance, Marketing & Sales, Consumer Behaviour, Sales & Selling
Cover of the book The Unmanageable Consumer by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel, SAGE Publications
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel ISBN: 9781473933767
Publisher: SAGE Publications Publication: September 21, 2015
Imprint: SAGE Publications Ltd Language: English
Author: Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
ISBN: 9781473933767
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Publication: September 21, 2015
Imprint: SAGE Publications Ltd
Language: English

The Unmanageable Consumer has long been one of my favorite books in the sociology of consumption. This long overdue third edition has updated and revised the basic argument in many ways. Most importantly, it now offers a new chapter on the consumer as worker or, more generally, the prosumer. Assign it to your classes (I have…and will again) and read it for your edification.’ - George Ritzer, Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland, USA

Western-style consumerism is often presented as unstoppable, yet its costs mount and its grip on consumer reality weakens. In this 20th Anniversary edition, Gabriel and Lang restate their thesis that consumerism is more fragile and unmanageable than is assumed by its proponents.

Consumerism has been both stretched and undermined by globalization, the internet, social media and other cultural changes. Major environmental threats, debt, squeezed incomes and social inequalities now temper Western consumers' appetite for spending. The 20th century Deal, first championed by Henry Ford, of more consumption from higher waged work looks tattered. 
 
This edition of The Unmanageable Consumer continues to explore 10 different consumer models, and encourages analysis of contemporary consumerism. It looks at the spread of consumerism to developing countries like India and China and considers the effects of demographic changes and migration, and points to new features such as consumers taking on unwaged work.

New to this edition:

  • Coverage of new phenomenon such as social media and emerging markets
  • Explores contemporary topics including the occupy movement and horsemeat scandal
  • A new chapter on the consumer as worker.

 

'This is a remarkable and important book. The new edition updates consumer cultural studies to take into account austerity politics and the economic crisis, and the impact these have had on how we think about and experience everyday practices of shopping and consuming. The authors also build on and maintain the lively and challenging argument from the previous volumes which sees the consumer as an unstable space for a multiplicity of often contradictory responses which can unsettle the various strategies on the part of contemporary capitalism to have us buy more.' - Angela McRobbie, Goldsmiths, University of London

‘The book exemplifies how social science should be: engaged, insightful, imaginative, scholarly and highly socially and politically relevant. Strongly recommended to students, academics as well as all people interested in understanding our time and themselves in an age of consumerism and false promises.’ - Mats Alvesson, Professor of Business Administration, Lund University, Sweden

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

The Unmanageable Consumer has long been one of my favorite books in the sociology of consumption. This long overdue third edition has updated and revised the basic argument in many ways. Most importantly, it now offers a new chapter on the consumer as worker or, more generally, the prosumer. Assign it to your classes (I have…and will again) and read it for your edification.’ - George Ritzer, Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland, USA

Western-style consumerism is often presented as unstoppable, yet its costs mount and its grip on consumer reality weakens. In this 20th Anniversary edition, Gabriel and Lang restate their thesis that consumerism is more fragile and unmanageable than is assumed by its proponents.

Consumerism has been both stretched and undermined by globalization, the internet, social media and other cultural changes. Major environmental threats, debt, squeezed incomes and social inequalities now temper Western consumers' appetite for spending. The 20th century Deal, first championed by Henry Ford, of more consumption from higher waged work looks tattered. 
 
This edition of The Unmanageable Consumer continues to explore 10 different consumer models, and encourages analysis of contemporary consumerism. It looks at the spread of consumerism to developing countries like India and China and considers the effects of demographic changes and migration, and points to new features such as consumers taking on unwaged work.

New to this edition:

 

'This is a remarkable and important book. The new edition updates consumer cultural studies to take into account austerity politics and the economic crisis, and the impact these have had on how we think about and experience everyday practices of shopping and consuming. The authors also build on and maintain the lively and challenging argument from the previous volumes which sees the consumer as an unstable space for a multiplicity of often contradictory responses which can unsettle the various strategies on the part of contemporary capitalism to have us buy more.' - Angela McRobbie, Goldsmiths, University of London

‘The book exemplifies how social science should be: engaged, insightful, imaginative, scholarly and highly socially and politically relevant. Strongly recommended to students, academics as well as all people interested in understanding our time and themselves in an age of consumerism and false promises.’ - Mats Alvesson, Professor of Business Administration, Lund University, Sweden

More books from SAGE Publications

Cover of the book The Handbook of Social Policy by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book The Fractal Organization by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book What Every Teacher Should Know About Effective Teaching Strategies by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Vocalizing Silence by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Developing as an Educational Leader and Manager by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book The SAGE Guide to Writing in Criminal Justice by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Careers in Media and Film by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book The Graphic Novel Classroom by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Nursing by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Taking the Lead on Adolescent Literacy by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Best Practices for Teaching Social Studies by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Focus Groups in Social Research by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book India 2050 by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Understanding Celebrity by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
Cover of the book Identity, Society and Transformative Social Categories by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Yiannis Gabriel
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