Time for Things - Labor, Leisure, and the Rise of Mass Consumption

Economists say there is a limit to what we gain by buying consumer goods. Americans say they want to work less. Yet we continue toiling away and use the proceeds to buy, buy, buy. Why? Stephen Rosenberg offers a novel theory, arguing that workers have learned to treat goods as stores of potential free time, legitimating endless wage work.

About the author

Stephen D. Rosenberg, a historical sociologist and social theorist, is a Visiting Tutor at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Summary

Economists say there is a limit to what we gain by buying consumer goods. Americans say they want to work less. Yet we continue toiling away and use the proceeds to buy, buy, buy. Why? Stephen Rosenberg offers a novel theory, arguing that workers have learned to treat goods as stores of potential free time, legitimating endless wage work.

Product details

• Authors: Dr Stephen D. Rosenberg, STEPHEN D ROSENBERG, Stephen D. Rosenberg
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.09.2020
• EAN: 9780674979512
• ISBN: 978-0-674-97951-2
• No. of pages: 368
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Social education, social work; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Social structure research; Social Theory, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economics / General, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economic History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Social Theory, Economic history, Consumption, Popular economics, Social issues & processes, Social and ethical issues