Consumerism in World History: The Global Transformation of Desire

by Stearns; Peter N.

• ISBN13: 9780415395878
• ISBN10: 0415395879
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2006-03-30
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The desire to acquire luxury goods and leisure services is a basic force in modern life." Consumerism in World History" explores both the historical origins and world-wide appeal of this relatively modern phenomenon. By relating consumerism to other issues in world history, this book forces reassessment of our understanding of both consumerism and global history. This second edition of "Consumerism in World History" draws on recent research of the consumer experience in the West and Japan, while also examining societies less renowned for consumerism, such as Africa. Ever chapter has been updated and new features include: - A new chapter on Latin America - Russian and Chinese developments since the 1990s - the changes involved in trying to bolster consumerism as a response to recent international threats - examples of consumerist syncretism, as in efforts to blend beauty contests with traditional culture in Kerala. With updated suggested reading, the second edition of "Consumerism in World History" is essential reading for all students of world history.

Author Biography

Peter N. Stearns is Professor of History at George Mason University.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Before modern consumerism	p. 1
The emergence of consumerism in the West	p. 15
The emergence of consumerism	p. 17
The first causes of consumerism	p. 27
Consumerism across the Atlantic: an early imitation	p. 40
The explosion of consumerism in Western Europe and the United States	p. 47
The dark side of Western consumerism	p. 66
Consumerism goes global	p. 79
Consumerism in Russia	p. 83
Consumerism in East Asia	p. 92
Consumerism in Latin America	p. 111
Consumerism in Africa	p. 115
Consumerism in the Islamic Middle East	p. 126
Consumerism toward the new century	p. 137
Consumerism in the contemporary world	p. 139
Conclusion: who wins - consumerism or consumers?	p. 153
Index	p. 160
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