Differences and Inequalities

Plan

Introduction.

Consumer society – choices and freedom.

Mention key concepts of the seduced and the repressed.

Consuming uses and behaviour.

Bauman’s theories.

First department store similarities to now a day supermarkets and shops.

Mention some of the ways they seduce us.

Positive and negatives of supermarkets opening.

Changing is social values.

Mention the reasons why big retailers can sell cheap goods and small shops can’t compete.

Low cost goods and the consequences – migrants.

Mention how repressed can’t compete.

Mention the effects excessive consuming has on the environment.

Conclusion.

Outline who are the winners and loser in a consumer society.

This essay will discuss the roles of winners and losers in a modern day consumer society, using Zygmunt Bauman’s theories on these consumer groups.

Bauman defines consumers as either ‘Seduced’ or ‘Repressed’. Zygmunt Bauman (1988) believes that “A consumer society promises choice and freedom to those who, because of their financial and social circumstances, are in a position to consume effectively” (Hetherington pg 25).

This theory would appear to suggest that to live in a consumer society; we are actually presented with choices and freedoms depending on our social circumstances. Consequently, we create differences and inequalities for those who cannot compete because of different sets of social circumstances.

To discuss the winners and losers in a consumer society we have to look at some of the differences and inequalities and how they are made on the streets of the UK. It is a competitive environment within an ever changing society, moving from an industrial era to what is widely accepted as being a consumer society. The evidence of this is shown through materialistic spending patterns and social consuming behaviours. This display of interconnections between people and materials shows differences and inequalities that can be produced, changed and reproduced....