A Social and Economic Theory of Consumption [Hardcover]

Kaj Ilmonen was a pioneer in the third wave of the sociology of consumption. This book?provides a balanced overview of the sociology of consumption, arguing that the enthusiasm of 'the third wave' exaggerated the role of the symbolic and imaginary at the expense of the materiality of human societies.Foreword The Sociology?of Consumption: A Brief History Markets?and the?Neo-Liberal Utopia?of Omnipotent Markets Commodities?and Consumption: General?and Specific Features Want, Need?and Commodity Consumption?and the?Necessary Economic Conditions?for Consumption The Use?and Meanings?of Money Mechanisms of Consumption Choice?and their?General Cultural Framework Consumption?as Ideological Discourse Consumption as Use: Our Relationship?to CommoditiesAlan Warde is Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester.