The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society)

"Now available in English for the first time, Jean Baudrillard's classic text was one of the first to focus on the process and meaning of consumption in contemporary culture. Originally published in 1970, the book still makes a vital contribution to current debates on consumption. Many of the themes which would make Baudrillard famous appear here for the first time. The book includes Baudrillard's most organized discussion of mass media culture, the meaning of leisure and anomie in affluent society. A chapter on the body demonstrates Baudrillard's extraordinary prescience for flagging vital subjects in contemporary culture long before others. This English translation begins with an introductory essay by George Ritzer." -- Publisher This is the first English-language translation of Jean Baudrillard's contemporary classic on the sociology of consumption. Originally published in 1970, the book was one of the first to focus on the processes and meaning of consumption in contemporary culture. At a time when others were fixated with the production process, Baudrillard could be found making the case that consumption is now the axis of culture. He demonstrates how consumption is related to the goal of economic growth and he maps out a social theory of consumption. Many of the themes that would later make Baudrillard famous are sketched out here for the first time. In particular, concepts of simulation and the simulacrum receive their earliest systematic treatment. Written at a time when Baudrillard was moving away from both Marxism and institutional sociology, the book is more systematic than his later works. He is still pursuing the task of locating consumption in culture and society. So the reader will find here his most organized discussion of mass media culture, the meaning of leisure and anomie in affluent society. There is also a fascinating chapter on the body which shows yet again Baudrillard's extraordinary prescience in flagging the importance of vital subjects in contemporary culture long before his colleagues. Baudrillard is widely acclaimed as a key thinker in sociology, communication and cultural studies. This book makes available to English-speaking readers one of his most important works. It will be devoured by the steadily expanding circle of Baudrillard scholars, and it will also be required reading for students of the sociology of culture, communication and cultural studies. This edition is published with a long, specially prepared introductory essay written by the noted cultural commentator and social theorist, George Ritzer, author of The McDonaldization of Society. "The young Baudrillard at his best... a sociological study of the society of consumption of the finest order, this text continues to shed light on the subject and object of consumption, around which contemporary societies are organized." - Douglas Kellner, University of California, Los Angeles Jean Baudrillard's classic text was one of the first to focus on the process and meaning of consumption in contemporary culture. Originally published in 1970, the book makes a vital contribution to current debates on consumption. The book includes Baudrillard's most organized discussion of mass media culture, the meaning of leisure, and anomie in affluent society. A chapter on the body demonstrates Baudrillard's extraordinary prescience for flagging vital subjects in contemporary culture long before others. This English translation begins with an introductory essay by George Ritzer. Introduction / George Ritzer -- -- Pt. I. The Formal Liturgy Of The Object -- 1. Profusion -- 2. The Miraculous Status Of Consumption -- 3. The Vicious Circle Of Growth -- -- Pt. Ii. The Theory Of Consumption -- 4. The Social Logic Of Consumption -- 5. Towards A Theory Of Consumption -- 6. Personalization, Or, The Smallest Marginal Difference -- -- Pt. Iii. Mass Media, Sex And Leisure -- 7. Mass-media Culture -- 8. The Finest Consumer Object : The Body -- 9. The Drama Of Leisure, Or, The Impossibility Of Wasting One's Time -- 10. The Mystique Of Solicitude -- 11. Anomie In The Affluent Society -- -- Conclusion : On Contemporary Alienation, Or, The End Of The Pact With The Devil Jean Baudrillard. Includes 20 P. Introduction By George Ritzer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Table of Contents 8 Foreword 10 Introduction 14 Part I: The Formal Liturgy of the Object 38 1 - Profusion 38 2 - The Miraculous Status of Consumption 44 3 - The Vicious Circle of Growth 50 Part II: The Theory of Consumption 62 4 - The Social Logic of Consumption 62 5 - Towards a Theory of Consumption 82 6 - Personalization or the Smallest Marginal Difference 100 Part III: Mass Media, Sex and Leisure 112 7 - Mass-Media Culture 112 8 - The Finest Consumer Object: The Body 142 9 - The Drama of Leisure or the Impossibility of Wasting One's Time 164 10 - The Mystique of Solicitude 172 11 - Anomie in the Affluent Society 187 Conclusion 200 Notes 210 Index 218 "Now available in English, Baudrillard's The Consumer Society examines the process and meaning of consumption in contemporary culture. It makes a vital contribution to current debates on consumption as Baudrillard demonstrates that consumption is the axis of culture. This text includes a systematic discussion and application of key themes in Baudrillard's work, such as simulation and the simulacrum, through a rigorous inquiry into 'the social logic of consumption'."--Jacket This English translation of The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures (originally published in 1970) will be both a treat and a revelation to admirers of the work of Jean Baudrillard not fluent in French.