Cross-Cultural Consumption: Global Markets, Local Realities - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415138892 ISBN 13: 9780415138895

Publisher: Routledge, 1996

Synopsis

Goods are imbued with meanings and uses by their producers. When they are exported, they can act as a means of communication or domination. However, there is no guarantee that the intentions of the producer will be recognized, much less respected, by the consumer from another culture. Cross-Cultural Consumption is a fascinating guide to the cultural implications of the globalization of a consumer society. The chapters address topics ranging from the clothing of colonial subjects in South Africa and the rise of the hypermarket in Argentina, to the presentation of culture in international tourist hotels. Through their examination of cultural imperialism and cultural appropriation of the representation of otherness and identity, Howes and his contributors show how the increasingly global flow of goods and images challenges the very idea of the cultural border and creates new spaces for cultural invention. Marian Bredin, Concordia University, Constance Classen, Jean Comaroff, University of Chicago, Mary Crain, University of Barcelona, Carol Handrickson, Marlboro Colleg

About this title

Review

""Cross-cultural Consumption is a well-edited volume....Some of the most most enjoyable features of the volume are signs of the deep involvement the authors have invested in understanding the nuances of their topics, both material artifacts and the rituals associated with artifacts."
-Stephen Harold Riggins, "CRSA/RCSA

Synopsis

Goods are imbued with meanings and uses by their producers. When they are exported, they can act as a means of communication or domination. However, there is no guarantee that the intentions of the producer will be recognized, much less respected, by the consumer from another culture. This guide to the cultural implications of the globalization of a consumer society addresses topics ranging from the clothing of colonial subjects in South Africa and the rise of the "hypermarket" in Argentina, to the presentation of culture in international tourist hotels. Through their examination of cultural imperialism and cultural appropriation of the representation of "otherness" and identity, the contributors show how the increasingly global flow of goods and images challenges the very idea of the "cultural border" and creates new spaces for cultural invention.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415138892
• ISBN 13: 9780415138895
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224
• Editor: Howes David