Sociology 2172A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Jean Baudrillard, Symbolic Power, Thorstein Veblen
Document Summary
Presidents encouraging americans to go shopping and buy american. Marxist point of view on consumption takes in account a structural point of view and in terms of class relations. Production is also immediately consumption, consumption is also immediately production 81. The worker becomes a passive victim of consumption when the exchange values of money and commodities are offered as rewards. Sweatshop workers risk their lives because the risks outweigh the rural people"s salary. Paradox of fashion rendering an individual unique when they are just following trends. Consumption patterns prompted by symbolic more than material utility. He also relates to gendered consumption; the wife shops. Cultural intermediaries are experts who give consultation to the middle classes about correct styles, appropriate images, and standard ways of living. E. g going to private school, ivy league schools etc all about cultivating certain traits and images. Magazine editors and advertisers create what bourdieu calls symbolic violence by determining what is in or out.