Barkov S.A. Historical Metamorphoses of Consumption as a Socioeconomic Phenomenon

Abstract: The object of the research is the history of consumption as an economic and social process. The subject of the research is the behaviour of various social classes and groups in the consumption of both material and non-material goods and values. The author examines different aspects of consumption and how they are influenced by different aspects of economics and production. The article studies the works of famous foreign economists and sociologists. The research used institutional, sociological, cultural and systems approaches to the analysis of consumption as a socioeconomic phenomenon. The methodological systems principle allowed the author to conduct an all-embracing analysis of this complex and comprehensive realia. Scientific novelty of the research lies in the study of peculiarities of consumption as a socioeconomic phenomenon. Thus, in postindustrial society the consumption of various non-standartised goods becomes a solution of the problem of middle class that faces the impossibility of fulfilling the need in creativity (self-fulfilment) in their job. Consumption is becoming a mass creativity of modern people. Within this process they can satisfy even their biggest needs. At the same time, people cannot spend as much time and efforts on consumption as in the case of the elites of pre-industrial society.

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