The World of Goods

by Mary Douglas, Baron Isherwood

First published in 1979, this volume introduces a cultural factor to theories of consumption. The World of Goods goes beyond standard economic analyses, which rely on theories of individual psychology. Douglas studies how consumers use goods to fulfil their intentions in regard to one another. The World of Goods insists that goods are wanted for social purposes, for sharing and giving, more than for the private enjoyment that is the pivot of utilitarian explanations. This book offers a completely original way of thinking about consumption as a series of rituals.

Genres: Anthropology, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Nonfiction, Material Culture, Design

198 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1979

Reviews

[Ike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman could write about ham sandwiches and I would read it.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to read this book on finding it cited, of all things, in a book on kitchen design-- in reference to the trend toward "trophy" kitchens that no one actually cooks in. It's an early work in structuralist anthropology that attempts to address the failure of economics to predict the consumption and distribution of goods. It's a great antidote to Thorsten Vleben's simplistic ideas about "conspicuous consumption" proposing a more nuanced way of looking at "Goods as an information system." It was far more helpful to me than I would have ever anticipated. The core idea to note (primarily for myself) is that property (as in collections of goods) exists as an intelligible system arranged by consumers to "make sense" within their cultural position. As such, it is important to take note of properties beyond the material in any discussions of them. For example, a house isn't simply a shelter but also a status marker that allows them access to a system of information that they wouldn't otherwise be able to access-- a guy who lives in a cardboard box is simply denied any access to becoming a well compensated executive. Things don't just satisfy needs, and aren't simply purchased to be "conspicuous" markers-- they are part of the way that we negotiate culture and our place in it. A dense but rewarding read (speaking as a non-specialist).

[Jake ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Por um olhar antropológico a obra busca primeiro transpor a ideia do consumo pensado como consumismo de algumas análises sociológicas. Aqui os autores trarão a importância do consumo nas relações socais e nas construções das trocas de laços simbólicos. O consumo é portanto, analisado a partir das teias de significados culturais.

[Leonardo]

...un tratamiento antropológico del gusto o disgusto por los bienes sociales

Esferas de Justicia Pág.7

[Abraão · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muito mais que falar de "bens", os autores retratam a discussão de sua definição, seu uso e seu surgimento. Incrível o capítulo nomeado "Tecnologia do Consumo". Ele fornece um pano-de-fundo teórico sobre o marketing e o desenvolvimento de marcas a partir das medidas que criaram nos usuários - ou que os usuários criaram no mercado, fica a discussão.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

KOBOBOOKS

[dv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessante il modo in cui "attacca" la prospettiva economica del consumo di beni costruendoci sopra una teoria socio-antropologica fondata su concetti a volte brillanti (la natura sociale del consumo e le sue categorie), a volte non pienamente convincenti (la netta separazione tra consumo e mercato).