Inconspicuous consumption, a new form of social distinction?
Cultural capital plays a key role in defining and perpetuating class inequality in contemporary America. As demonstrated by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett in her work, the old leisure class has been replaced by a new elite, and conspicuous consumption is no longer the ultimate symbol of social distinction...
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| Publicado en: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports, |
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| Autor principal: | |
| Formato: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Lenguaje: | Anglais |
| Publicado: |
Field Actions Science Reports
2024
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| Acceso en línea: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Sumario: | Cultural capital plays a key role in defining and perpetuating class inequality in contemporary America. As demonstrated by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett in her work, the old leisure class has been replaced by a new elite, and conspicuous consumption is no longer the ultimate symbol of social distinction. Today, social distinction is achieved through immaterial investments in “small things”: discreet, inconspicuous consumption, requiring a high amount of knowledge and education. Sustainable consumption, notably through food and clothing, is part of this new social distinction of the “aspirational class”. To scale-up sustainable consumption, it is essential to make it more accessible to middle and lower-income groups. |
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