Consumption in Contemporary Capitalism: Beyond Marx and Veblen
Author(s)
McIntyre, Richard
Abstract
In this paper, I lay out a theoretical framework for understanding consumption behavior in contemporary capitalism. The argument, in brief, is that the conventional Left critique of “consumer society,” derived from Marx and Veblen, undermines neoclassical claims about consumer sovereignty, but assumes that we can objectively separate productive and unproductive activities according to some clear and objective standard. Further, the conventional critique misses important changes in consumption patterns that have occurred over the past several decades. The approach proposed here abandons the “producerism” and alienation focus of the conventional critique, and points to a theory of consumption appropriate to current conditions. This is a critique of Marx’s use-value, exchange-value distinction. [Note: A response by Ben Fine is also in the SSL.]
