A Commodified World: Mapping the Limits of Capitalism

by Colin C. Williams

A Commodified World critiques the notion that in Late Capitalism all economic relations become always ever more commodified, while 'non-capitalist' activities disappear. It demonstrates that a combination of new 'cultures of resistance' all constrain this tendency or even threaten to reverse it. Colin Williams finds that, even in the advanced economies, a non-commodified realm persists that is as large as the commodified sphere and growing relative to it. He draws on extensive empirical evidence of trends and new patterns of economic activity – including changes in women's participation, differences between wealthy and poor urban areas, and between urban and rural sectors. He explores non-commodified practices of resistance. And he concludes that governments and communities, by de-coupling production and consumption from the commodified realm, could open up alternative development paths.

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2005

About the author

Colin C. Williams is a Professor of Public Policy at the University of Sheffield, where he joined the Management School in 2006 after holding a professorship at the University of Leicester. His teaching is research led, drawing on case studies from consultancy projects and books on the future of work and regional economies. His research focuses on re-theorising economic development, informal economies, and public policy across local, national, and international contexts. He is editor of leading journals in sociology and social policy.

Reviews

[Scott Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book aimed to confront the unquestioned axiomatic nature of forever commodification, of a constant and perpetual search for increased profit.