Work, Consumerism and the New Poor Author: [UK] Zygmunt Bauman Historical and Cultural Books Weekly Hot List NO.8

◎ How does our lifestyle create new poor people? This is a cautionary tale by Zygmunt Bauman, a famous sociologist and thinker, that explains the myth of poverty under consumerism.

◎ In contemporary times, all people can do is probably to accept that this is a consumer society, but only by remaining vigilant can they have the possibility of resistance.

◎ Douban's annual reading list, Zhihu's annual book list, China Reading News' annual top 100 books, FT Chinese's annual business book list, Duozhaoyu's annual fresh fish list, and national independent bookstores' joint book recommendations

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【Content Introduction】

Poverty is one thing in a society of producers and widespread employment. It is another thing in a consumer society. In the latter, the project of life is built around consumer choices rather than around work or professional skills. Where once “poverty” was associated with unemployment, today it refers primarily to the plight of defective consumers. This difference changes the way poverty is experienced, with significant implications for the salvation of suffering. This work by the renowned sociologist and thinker Bauman reflects on and discusses the consumer society and its impact. In this book, Bauman traces this change in modern history, takes stock of its social consequences, and considers the effectiveness of various ways to fight poverty and alleviate hardship.

Students of sociology, political science, and social policy will find this an invaluable book on an enduring social problem whose meaning is constantly changing.

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【Recommendations from celebrities and media】

Marx would also cry after reading this book.

—— "Economic Observer·Book Review Supplement"

Reading Bauman is always a powerful experience. He is certainly not as ruthless a critic of consumer society as the late Jean Baudrillard or the young Naomi Klein, but his lucid and profound interpretations always heighten our uneasiness.

—— "Financial Times Weekly"

People are generally trapped in the dilemma of housing, cars and child support, which is caused by the lack of government public welfare and the deeper consumption pattern of modern society. Bauman recognized the problem and tried to solve it with difficulty.

——《China Business News》

This book explores the nature of change in depth and discusses our current transformation from a "producer society" to a "consumer society".

—— NetEase Reading Channel

You and I may be the contemporary "new poor" as he defines them.

—— Tiger Sniff

Bauman is widely seen as a strong moral voice for the poor and exploited in the globalization trend. Whether it is his works on the Holocaust or globalization, his focus has always been on how humans can create through ethical decisions.

Create a dignified life.

——Jiang Jiemian News

People always praise Bauman as a prophet who predicted postmodern society. In fact, his theoretical construction is entirely based on the sensitivity generated by his personal situation: he lacks a sense of belonging, and a fluid, solid society is like a place where everything is bound to exist.

The world of consumerism in which everything solid crumbles is coming, and his anxiety grows day by day.

——"Southern People Weekly"