Sociology 2172A/B Chapter 4: Constructing the consumer- readings

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2172A/B
• Professor: Gale Cassidy

Document Summary

A producer needs to consume wool, water, and coal, the most immediate raw materials required at the time. A wool coat becomes a wool coat only by being worn, consumed or used. Productive consumption that turns labour purchased by capital into the process of production. Consumption creates the first false consciousness that misrecognizes the meanings of commodities. Majority are found in less developed countries where human rights are questionable. Characterized by domineering, abusive conditions brought about by poor manufacturing facilities, low, piece wages, long working hours and inhuman admin rules/regulations. The labour power in the commodities no longer belongs to the worker; however the (cid:449)o(cid:396)ke(cid:396) does(cid:374)"t k(cid:374)o(cid:449) the p(cid:396)o(cid:271)le(cid:373)s (cid:271)uilt i(cid:374)to (cid:272)o(cid:373)(cid:373)odities a(cid:374)d (cid:272)o(cid:374)su(cid:373)ptio(cid:374) Imitation is not simply a copycat act, and pirating leaves room for interpretation before moral condemnation. Similar to simmel, veblen considers consumption as the social force that makes social class possible and as the site of struggle for individualism.