Work Consumerism And The New Poor

Explores the relationship between social theory, families and changing issues in familial relationships and charts social and economic changes and their impact on the family.

Mark Davis offers a critical enquiry into the sociology of Zygmunt Bauman, focusing on his English-language writings from the 1960s onwards. The book contributes to sociological debates about modern society by offering an interpretation of Bauman's work b

In this volume, Zygmunt Bauman examines how the definition of being 'poor' has changed in light of the growth of consumerism in Western society, and also attempts to evaluate the relevance of traditional methods of tackling poverty.

With entries detailing key concepts, persons, and approaches, The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Consumption and Consumer Studies provides definitive coverage of a field that has grown dramatically in scope and popularity around the world over the last two decades. Includes over 200 A-Z entries varying in length from 500 to 5,000 words, with a list of suggested readings for each entry and cross-references, as well as a lexicon by category, and a timeline Brings together the latest research and theories in the field from international contributors across a range of disciplines, from sociology, cultural studies, and advertising to anthropology, business, and consumer behavior Available online with interactive cross-referencing links and powerful searching capabilities within the work and across Wiley’s comprehensive online reference collection or as a single volume in print www.consumptionandconsumerstudies.com

With the advent of liquid modernity, the society of producers is transformed into a society of consumers. In this new consumer society, individuals become simultaneously the promoters of commodities and the commodities they promote. They are, at one and the same time, the merchandise and the marketer, the goods and the travelling salespeople. They all inhabit the same social space that is customarily described by the term the market. The test they need to pass in order to acquire the social prizes they covet requires them to recast themselves as products capable of drawing attention to themselves. This subtle and pervasive transformation of consumers into commodities is the most important feature of the society of consumers. It is the hidden truth, the deepest and most closely guarded secret, of the consumer society in which we now live. In this new book Zygmunt Bauman examines the impact of consumerist attitudes and patterns of conduct on various apparently unconnected aspects of social life politics and democracy, social divisions and stratification, communities and partnerships, identity building, the production and use of knowledge, and value preferences. The invasion and colonization of the web of human relations by the worldviews and behavioural patterns inspired and shaped by commodity markets, and the sources of resentment, dissent and occasional resistance to the occupying forces, are the central themes of this brilliant new book by one of the worlds most original and insightful social thinkers.

This is a collection of papers presented at the Second Global conference, The Value of Work: Exploring Critical Issues. Changes and constancies of work and the meaning of work as self-fulfilment or oppression emerge from the research of scholars.

The academic study of religion is undergoing great changes in response to globalization. Just as sociologists now find it necessary to think in terms of "multiculturalism," so religion scholars and theologians today must work in the context of "multireligiosity." Globalization is leading not only to multiethnic societies but also to plurality in religions and worldviews. Theology and the Religions: A Dialogue offers the first sustained analysis of the trend toward multireligiosity and its implications for the study of religion. Drawing on the resources of cultural analysis, religious studies, and theology, an international slate of scholars explores the relation of multiculturality and multireligiosity, the need for interreligious dialogue, and the possibilities for a "theology of religions." This groundbreaking work is supported by case studies of various religious traditions in diverse cultures from around the world. Special attention is paid to Christian theological reflection, however, since, as a global religion, Christianity is particularly challenged by multireligiosity. Offering an engaging, wide-angle view of religion worldwide, Theology and the Religions makes a vital contribution to our understanding of the forces shaping the future of religious and social life. Contributors: Kajsa Ahlstrand Theodor Ahrens Jan-Martin Berentsen Ulrich Dehn Helene Egnell Marianne C. Qvortrup Fibiger Patrik Friedlund Virginia Garrard-Burnett Geomon K. George Elisabeth Gerle Friedrich Wilhelm Graf Hans Hauge Ulf Hedetoft S. Mark Heim Chris Hewer Klaus Hock Michael Ipgrave Andrew J. Kirk Lene Kühle Volker Küster Aasulv Lande Oddbjorn Leirvik Ole Skjerbæk Madsen Hiromasa Mase Mogens S. Mogensen Viggo Mortensen Johannes Nissen Klaus Nürnberger Caleb Oladipo Tinu Ruparell Risto Saarinen Lamin Sanneh Olaf Schumann Notto R. Thelle Joachim Track Vítor Westhelle H. S. Wilson

A multidisciplinary analysis of the role of nutrition in generating hierarchical societies and cultivating a global epidemic of chronic diseases.