Women's Studies 2270A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 5-6: Consumer Capitalism, Sport Utility Vehicle, Mass Society

• School: Western University
• Department: Women's Studies
• Course: Women's Studies 2270A/B
• Professor: Tyler Totten

Document Summary

Focus of the reading is the link between teenage status systems and the broader society, and consumer capitalism. In the early years of modernity, the key economic problem was supply: provide relatively basic commodities at a price the masses could afford. Knew if he produced cheap, reliable cars he could sell them: model t. State contributes to this goal through interest, tax, and state expenditures: ad(cid:448)e(cid:396)tisi(cid:374)g has (cid:271)e(cid:272)o(cid:373)e i(cid:374)(cid:272)(cid:396)easi(cid:374)gl(cid:455) di(cid:396)e(cid:272)ted to(cid:449)a(cid:396)ds people(cid:859)s status (cid:272)o(cid:374)(cid:272)e(cid:396)(cid:374)s, goods and services are valued much more for the status they bring rather than utilitarian need. Some obsolescence is created through (1) innovation (ex: computers) (2) some is created through making products designed to wear out (ex: american cars in the. 1950s-80s) problem with this is that others may produce quality goods and lure your customers away, like the japanese did (3) turn your product into a status symbol.