The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts
As Jean Baudrillard highlights in this ironic fairy tale, modern man’s journey from scarcity to abundance has transported him into a consumer universe equipped with countless “needs.” This universe permeates every aspect of life, from the rhythm of daily life to the functioning of global economic sy...
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| Materialtyp: | Online |
| Språk: | engelska |
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Sakarya Üniversitesi Yayınları
2025
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| Länkar: | https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/165937 |
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| _version_ | 1869528912094035968 |
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| author | ÇİLDİR, ÇETİN |
| author_browse | ÇİLDİR, ÇETİN |
| author_facet | ÇİLDİR, ÇETİN |
| author_sort | ÇİLDİR, ÇETİN |
| collection | Directory of Open Access Books |
| description | As Jean Baudrillard highlights in this ironic fairy tale, modern man’s journey from scarcity to abundance has transported him into a consumer universe equipped with countless “needs.” This universe permeates every aspect of life, from the rhythm of daily life to the functioning of global economic systems, representing a multi-layered and complex phenomenon at the heart of contemporary societies. Consumption extends far beyond the simple exchange of goods and services; it presents a structure where meanings, identities, social relationships, and even existential anxieties intertwine. This book aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of this “Never-Ending Story” by thoroughly examining the multi-layered structure of the phenomenon of consumption, its fundamental concepts, its historical evolution, and the theoretical approaches developed regarding it.
Research Problem and Gap in the Literature
Consumption is one of the fundamental reference points in the social sciences, yet it lacks a clear definition of the concept, and the field is theoretically fragmented. This situation arises from the semantic diversity of the phenomenon itself and the conflicting meanings attributed to it by different disciplines and theoretical traditions. In the literature, consumption is lauded for its role in fostering prosperity through economic liberalism (Schor, 1998; Miles, 1998), yet it is simultaneously criticized by critical theories, such as those of the Frankfurt School, for promoting selfishness, hedonism, alienation, and the creation of false needs (Baudrillard, 1998; Fromm, 1956). This commonly used dualistic approach (positive/negative) remains reductive in its understanding of the phenomenon’s complexity. This book aims to overcome theoretical fragmentation and reductive opposition by emphasizing the necessity of a dialectical and holistic analysis of consumption. It seeks to bridge the gap in this field.
Within this framework, the book seeks to answer the following fundamental questions:
1. How is consumption shaped by social and cultural forces?
2. What ideological foundations underlie consumer society?
3. How do core concepts that motivate consumption, such as need, desire, and pleasure, differ from one another, and how are they related?
4. Through which historical turning points have consumption practices evolved into their current form?
5. How can the theoretical heritage developed by different disciplines offer a holistic perspective on the complexity of consumption?
Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Groundwork
This study posits that consumption is not merely a rational act of utility maximization (Smith, 1776), but rather a socio-cultural process operating through signs, symbols, and meanings. Consumption serves fundamental functions, including identity construction (Bourdieu, 1984), display of social status (Veblen, 1899), expression of lifestyles (Featherstone, 1991), and the search for meaning (Campbell, 1987). In this context, the motivations that drive consumption behavior exhibit a complex structure. There is a distinction between “need,” which expresses basic necessities (Torlak, 2016); “desire,” which refers to culturally shaped ways of satisfying these needs (Lancaster, 1971); and “desire,” which, particularly in the Lacanian sense (2008), refers to an unconscious lack associated with the Other that is difficult to satisfy. Similarly, the distinction between “satisfaction” (the fulfilment of expectations) and “pleasure” (an intense emotional experience) (Hirschman & Holbrook, 1982) and Freudian (2000) unconscious drives reveals that consumption preferences are not always rational.
Structure of the Book
To present this comprehensive analysis, the book is divided into three main sections.
Section I establishes the study’s conceptual and theoretical framework by addressing basic consumption-related concepts, such as needs, desires, pleasure, consumer culture, etc. It also outlines the primary discussion axes within the literature, including both critical and affirmative approaches.
Section II explores the historical trajectory of consumption, from primitive forms in archaic societies through the Agricultural Revolution, ancient civilizations, the Industrial Revolution, and the postmodern information society of today. It analyzes how factors such as production methods, urbanization, money, leisure time, and technology have transformed consumption.
Section III presents the diverse theoretical heritage developed to understand consumption from an interdisciplinary perspective. It examines a wide range of theories in detail, including the Utility Theory of Economics, Veblen’s concept of conspicuous consumption, Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and differentiation, the Frankfurt School’s critique of the culture industry, Baudrillard’s simulation and sign value, and Douglas’s anthropological approach.
Scope, Limitations and Target Audience
This book does not claim to cover all aspects of consumption or examine each subfield in depth. Instead of focusing on specific examples or geographical areas, it aims to present the fundamental dynamics and theoretical approaches that reveal the theoretical and historical framework of the phenomenon. In this regard, the study aims to serve as a fundamental reference source for academics and students of master’s and doctoral programs, particularly those in sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, communication, and economics, who are interested in the subject.
Ultimately, the study shows that consumption is not merely a byproduct of capitalism or an economic outcome. Rather, it is a dynamic, living, and “endless” force that produces and is shaped by identity, power, social relations, and meaning in the modern world. |
| format | Online |
| id | doab-20.500.12854ir-165937 |
| institution | Directory of Open Access Books |
| language | eng |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Sakarya Üniversitesi Yayınları |
| publisherStr | Sakarya Üniversitesi Yayınları |
| record_format | ojs |
| spelling | doab-20.500.12854ir-1659372025-08-14T11:36:04Z The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts ÇİLDİR, ÇETİN Consumption Production Identity and Symbolism Consumer Society and Consumption Culture Consumption thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JB Society and culture: general::JBF Social and ethical issues::JBFS Consumerism As Jean Baudrillard highlights in this ironic fairy tale, modern man’s journey from scarcity to abundance has transported him into a consumer universe equipped with countless “needs.” This universe permeates every aspect of life, from the rhythm of daily life to the functioning of global economic systems, representing a multi-layered and complex phenomenon at the heart of contemporary societies. Consumption extends far beyond the simple exchange of goods and services; it presents a structure where meanings, identities, social relationships, and even existential anxieties intertwine. This book aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of this “Never-Ending Story” by thoroughly examining the multi-layered structure of the phenomenon of consumption, its fundamental concepts, its historical evolution, and the theoretical approaches developed regarding it. Research Problem and Gap in the Literature Consumption is one of the fundamental reference points in the social sciences, yet it lacks a clear definition of the concept, and the field is theoretically fragmented. This situation arises from the semantic diversity of the phenomenon itself and the conflicting meanings attributed to it by different disciplines and theoretical traditions. In the literature, consumption is lauded for its role in fostering prosperity through economic liberalism (Schor, 1998; Miles, 1998), yet it is simultaneously criticized by critical theories, such as those of the Frankfurt School, for promoting selfishness, hedonism, alienation, and the creation of false needs (Baudrillard, 1998; Fromm, 1956). This commonly used dualistic approach (positive/negative) remains reductive in its understanding of the phenomenon’s complexity. This book aims to overcome theoretical fragmentation and reductive opposition by emphasizing the necessity of a dialectical and holistic analysis of consumption. It seeks to bridge the gap in this field. Within this framework, the book seeks to answer the following fundamental questions: 1. How is consumption shaped by social and cultural forces? 2. What ideological foundations underlie consumer society? 3. How do core concepts that motivate consumption, such as need, desire, and pleasure, differ from one another, and how are they related? 4. Through which historical turning points have consumption practices evolved into their current form? 5. How can the theoretical heritage developed by different disciplines offer a holistic perspective on the complexity of consumption? Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Groundwork This study posits that consumption is not merely a rational act of utility maximization (Smith, 1776), but rather a socio-cultural process operating through signs, symbols, and meanings. Consumption serves fundamental functions, including identity construction (Bourdieu, 1984), display of social status (Veblen, 1899), expression of lifestyles (Featherstone, 1991), and the search for meaning (Campbell, 1987). In this context, the motivations that drive consumption behavior exhibit a complex structure. There is a distinction between “need,” which expresses basic necessities (Torlak, 2016); “desire,” which refers to culturally shaped ways of satisfying these needs (Lancaster, 1971); and “desire,” which, particularly in the Lacanian sense (2008), refers to an unconscious lack associated with the Other that is difficult to satisfy. Similarly, the distinction between “satisfaction” (the fulfilment of expectations) and “pleasure” (an intense emotional experience) (Hirschman & Holbrook, 1982) and Freudian (2000) unconscious drives reveals that consumption preferences are not always rational. Structure of the Book To present this comprehensive analysis, the book is divided into three main sections. Section I establishes the study’s conceptual and theoretical framework by addressing basic consumption-related concepts, such as needs, desires, pleasure, consumer culture, etc. It also outlines the primary discussion axes within the literature, including both critical and affirmative approaches. Section II explores the historical trajectory of consumption, from primitive forms in archaic societies through the Agricultural Revolution, ancient civilizations, the Industrial Revolution, and the postmodern information society of today. It analyzes how factors such as production methods, urbanization, money, leisure time, and technology have transformed consumption. Section III presents the diverse theoretical heritage developed to understand consumption from an interdisciplinary perspective. It examines a wide range of theories in detail, including the Utility Theory of Economics, Veblen’s concept of conspicuous consumption, Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and differentiation, the Frankfurt School’s critique of the culture industry, Baudrillard’s simulation and sign value, and Douglas’s anthropological approach. Scope, Limitations and Target Audience This book does not claim to cover all aspects of consumption or examine each subfield in depth. Instead of focusing on specific examples or geographical areas, it aims to present the fundamental dynamics and theoretical approaches that reveal the theoretical and historical framework of the phenomenon. In this regard, the study aims to serve as a fundamental reference source for academics and students of master’s and doctoral programs, particularly those in sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, communication, and economics, who are interested in the subject. Ultimately, the study shows that consumption is not merely a byproduct of capitalism or an economic outcome. Rather, it is a dynamic, living, and “endless” force that produces and is shaped by identity, power, social relations, and meaning in the modern world. Published 2025-08-14T11:36:02Z 2025-08-14T11:36:02Z 2025-08-13 book 978-605-2238-74-5 https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/165937 eng application/pdf image/jpeg Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International https://sauyayinlari.sakarya.edu.tr/en/ebook/the-never-ending-story-on-the-phenomenon-of-consumption-and-related-concepts-202/ https://sauyayinlari.sakarya.edu.tr/uploaded/custom/kitap/c6b89e50-ad51-4b1b-a4dd-8fbf79c23ba8.pdf https://sauyayinlari.sakarya.edu.tr/uploaded/custom/kitap/a551d509-2e4f-4292-b790-45990f8f0eb7.jpg Sakarya Üniversitesi Yayınları 1 10.59537/saupress.2389 10.59537/saupress.2389 26fcc708-baa1-4c5b-84bb-7bf78bfd4c06 978-605-2238-74-5 1 187 Sakarya Universitesi Press open access |
| spellingShingle | Consumption Production Identity and Symbolism Consumer Society and Consumption Culture Consumption thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JB Society and culture: general::JBF Social and ethical issues::JBFS Consumerism ÇİLDİR, ÇETİN The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts |
| title | The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts |
| title_full | The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts |
| title_fullStr | The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts |
| title_short | The Never-Ending Story: On the Phenomenon of Consumption and Related Concepts |
| title_sort | never ending story on the phenomenon of consumption and related concepts |
| topic | Consumption Production Identity and Symbolism Consumer Society and Consumption Culture Consumption thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JB Society and culture: general::JBF Social and ethical issues::JBFS Consumerism |
| topic_facet | Consumption Production Identity and Symbolism Consumer Society and Consumption Culture Consumption thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JB Society and culture: general::JBF Social and ethical issues::JBFS Consumerism |
| url | https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/165937 |
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