Sociology 2172A/B Chapter Notes -Social Capital, Egalitarianism, Lesson Learned
11 Feb 2013
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Many commodities are designed and marketed not to meet a particular concrete need or desire, but to meet a generalized, abstract desire: a desire for more things, the latest stuff, what"s hot and what"s cool. Objects are desired and acquired not for their direct use value, but for their status value. When countries needs the demand of the population go up, it requires the people to purchase more, essentially people have a moral duty not only to be hard working producers but also fast spending consumers for the economy. Patriotic individuals spend money in order to stimulate the economy. Decline of social capital: people"s neglect of their roles as citizens in voluntary associations and non economic interpersonal networks that constitute civil society: decline of marriage and family relationships. Cultural contradiction: conflict between the discipline and asceticism needed for efficient production and the hedonism and self indulgence needed to maintain levels of consumption and market demand.
