Capitalism, Commodification And The Consumer Citizen

Response paper #1: Capitalism, commodification and the consumer citizen The assigned readings offered us the opportunity to study capitalism, its theoretical basis, and its effect of modern societies, while taking into account its domination techniques and worldwide influence. Because cultural studies concern themselves with structures of power it is only logical for theorists like Hall, Boudrillard, Debord, Schor, Pieterse, and Gramsci, to immerse themselves in the dissection of this particular ideology and the way it affects and shapes humanity. The first given argument is that capitalism distracts us of reality, with â€Å"Procession of Simulacra† Boudrillard introduces the term â€Å"simulacra† to define how subjects of capitalism live in an imagined world of â€Å"simulation models† (Boudrillard 409). Capitalism is then a spectacle of epic proportions that sustains itself promoting the idea that it is the only socio-economical pathway to success and the only way of life that is conducive to society’s overall happiness. This spectacle, according to Debord’s â€Å"Commodity as Spectacle† becomes an instrument of unification (Debord 118). As an ideology that fosters social relations among people mediated by images, its world vision becomes objectified as the dominant way of social life. Gramsci’s â€Å"History of the Sub-altern Classes† contributes by introducing the concepts of dominant and subaltern groups, he theorizes the dominant group to manifest itself through in tellectual and moralShow MoreRelated Implications of Capitalism on Objective News Content1397 Words   |  6 PagesWhile Capitalism might first be seen as a positive influence on free and open access to information, in fact, it can also have a detrimental impact. Inaccurate news stories, sensationalized material, and manipulation through the media are all repercussions of the effects of capitalism. Capitalism’s influence in the media skews content in favour of the market, preventing the public from access to democratic, objective news content. Too often, capitalist influence dominates the media market throughRead MoreCrime Trends And The Consumption Of Crime1799 Words   |  8 Pagesnumber of crime†related commodities such as security alarms, crime related television programs, and general merchandise. This essay will explore the commodification of crime by critically examining rising crime rates, increasing sales of crime†associated and targeted products duri ng the period when crime increases only slightly are explained as capitalism s ability to form commodities from both social problems and deviance. Using secondary data, this essay will describe these crime trends and the consumptionRead MoreThe Work Of Art And The Age Of Mechanical Reproduction1320 Words   |  6 Pagescategories from traditional aesthetic values, those of â€Å"creativity and genius, eternal value and mystery† (Benjamin, 218). In contrast, he relates these tendencies to bourgeois and fascist ideologies and to the conditions, inevitably generated out of capitalism itself, which provoke â€Å"revolutionary demands in the politics of art† (217-8) Benjamin claims that in times past the role of art has been to provide a magical foundation for the cult. Here the artwork’s use value was located in its central positionRead MoreSocial Analysis1489 Words   |  6 Pageswhich is in turn a basic task of developing the organizations of civic society and f inding workable solutions. Commodification or reification, is the tendency to reduce a person, relationship or turning something into an object of economic value, a commodity to be sold in the marketplace. For example, the basic need of decent, affordable housing has been commodified into a consumer item, which is only available to those who can afford it. Social costs, are costs caused mainly by industriesRead MoreGeorge Carlin And The American Dream1792 Words   |  8 PagesDream† and applies the topic in relation to the problem of consciousness (specifically class), contradictions in capitalism, and communism. Each theoretical concept has a connection to the present issues of our society and the problems people have when it comes to how they view the world. The â€Å"American Dream† is a veil that a majority of people are obscured upon, thinking that every citizen has an equal opportunity to be prosperous and successful through hard work, but according to George Carlin, allRead MoreThe Domestic Work Of African American Women1844 Words   |  8 Pagesdifferent social groups of this southeastern community. From the conflicts that aroused between the different White European settlers, to the adjustment of the African Americans to labor, the southerner society, or community, was created. The commodification of the domestic work of African American women affected in great ways their performance in white households, as well as their portrayal in advertisements, where they were shown to be a need to white southerners during the 1920’s. Although theseRead MoreFilm Analysis : The Film Cronos By Guillermo Del Toro2097 Words   |  9 Pagescritique and analyze the different forms of capitalism and how the state uses it to incite an d control violence. Looking at three films in particular we can examine how these films play a larger role in society rather than just being apart of â€Å"pop culture.† The Film Cronos by Guillermo Del Toro is a striking criticism on capitalism and how the state aims to maintain control over commodities of high interest. Themes of the most basic aspects of capitalism can be seen through out this film includingRead MoreWhat Does a â€Å"Political Economy† Approach to Study of the Creative and Cultural Industries Involve? What Are Its Advantages and Disadvantages?4265 Words   |  18 Pagesconsumption of resources, including communication resources†. (Mosco, 2009: 2). His formulation of political economy reflects both sides of the economical process a product production cycle and the consumer choice. Also the author proposes three processes of the political economy such as commodification, specialization and structuration as an entry points to actually to better understand political economy. Robert Babe’s declares that â€Å"political economy studies focus on economics, financial and politicRead MoreThe Logic Of Oppression Duri ng The Era Of Colonization1937 Words   |  8 Pagesthat they are detached from their historical reality, while working hard to become socialized into a world that ignores their experiences and suffering. Furthermore, Viramontes discusses how the impact of erasure is two-fold: desocialization and commodification (which she reframes as something that can be both positive and liberating) of oppressed, lower-class groups. First off, Viramontes skillfully reveals how intrinsic erasure is within the narratives of agricultural laborers through the use ofRead MoreReview of ‚Äà ²Dressed to Kill: Consumption, Style and the Gangster (Ruth, 1996)‚Äà ´2868 Words   |  12 Pagespeople’s society and culture. The public enemy, defined by business organisation, violent criminality and stylish consumption, was deployed by many Americans during the development of a new consumer society. The gangster was introduced and became a fascination to Americans at the peak of development of the new consumer society. Within this new society, consumerism had increased dramatically, when easy credit and flood of goods transformed Americans lives, particularly within the urban middle class.