Sociology 2172A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Abstract Labour And Concrete Labour, Preppy, Robert D. Putnam
20 Nov 2016
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After 9/11 public figures claimed it was patriotic for individuals to spend money in order to stimulate the economy: duty to buy more, getting better was linked to shopping and spending. The cultural contradictions of capitalism the emphasis on our roles as consumers at the expense of other social roles has contributed to a form of abstract desire and patriotic profligacy. Robert putnam drawn attention to the decline in social capital : people"s neglect of their roles as citizens in voluntary associations and non-economic interpersonal networks that constitute civil society". Problem of consumers capitalism is the pride of place given to producing and consuming at the expense of other social roles as well as the tension between the roles of producer and consumer. David bell there is an increasing conflict between the discipline and asceticism needed for efficient production and the hedonism and self indulgence needed to maintain levels of consumption and market demand.
