Consumption and Identity

by Jonathan Friedman

First published in 2004. Studies in Anthropology and History is a series that will develop new theoretical perspectives, and combine comparative and ethnographic studies with historical research. Volume fifteen and this is about the relation between consumption and broader cultural strategies. The papers are the product of a workshop organized in Denmark under the aegis of the Center for Research in the Humanities which took place in 1989. While the majority of participants were anthropologists, there were also sociologists and historians present.

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 1994

Reviews

[We'reelof · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the introduction, Friedman offers a wide theoretical framework for combining theory that takes larger social contexts into account (e.g. marxism) with anthropology. He draws upon Bourdieu, Adorno, Baudrillard, Campbell, Marx, Benjamin, Simmel as well as Appadurai, Kopytoff and Bloch & Parry on the others. The introduction gave me most in this book, and I recommend it for anyone who wants a rough overview of the field of consumption and identity.

Löfgren's contrubution on consumption, nationality and class in Sweden during the 20th century was interesting and worth a read. But he also launches "anthropologist" critique towards the Frankfurt school theorists and critics of the concept 'consumer society' which is a waste of paper and ink.