Winners and Losers in Consumer Society

Essay Plan for Shannon Mack
TMA 02: Outline who the Winners and Losers are in Consumer Society

Material needing to be referenced and read:

  * Learning Companion 2
  * Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of ‘Making Social Lives’
  * Assignment Booklet pages 18 to 20
  * CD/DVD’s:
      * Preparing for Assignments – Developing Skills Audio CD
      * Evidence in the Social Sciences – Audio CD 1
      * Rubbish Society – Audio CD 1
      * Making connections: economics and politics – Making connections Audio CD
      * Reflections on Material Lives – Audio CD 1

Specific References:

  * Allen, J. (2009) ‘One-stop shopping: the power of supermarkets’ in Taylor, S., Hinchcliffe, S., Clarke, J. and Bromley, S (eds) Making Social Lives, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
  * Bauman, Z. (1988) Freedom, Milton Keynes, Open University Press.
  * Susman, W. (2003) Culture as History, Washington, DC, Smithsonian Books.
  * Veblen, T. (1899) The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Economic Study in the Evolution of Institutions, New York, Macmillan.
  * Wrong, D. (1997) Power: Its Forms, Bases and Uses, New Brunswick, NJ, and London, Transaction Publishers
  * Bevan, J. (2006) Trolley Wars: The Battle of the Supermarkets, London, Profile Books.
  * Rimmer, H. (2009) Friends of the Earth, Online Activity 9, Open University Website

Essay Layout

Introduction:
Explain the definition of Consumer Society and outline what I would like to achieve in this essay.  

Paragraph 1:
The ‘seduced’ and the repressed using the example of a Retail Park

Paragraph 2:
Veblen and Sussman – Conspicuous consumption and performing-self

Paragraph 3:
Buying power of Supermarkets and the demise of the small shop

Paragraph 4:
Zero-Sum and Positive-Sum Game.  

Conclusion:
Outline what has been discussed and draw a conclusion

Reference:
Ensure correct referencing format is adhered to and make sure that all short references are noted (as long references)... [continues]

Read full essay