Waste and Consumption

Capitalism, the Environment, and the Life of Things

Simonetta Falasca-Zamponi

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780415892100
• eBook ISBN: 9781136165160
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Sociology
• Index: Social Sciences

This book examines the link between waste and consumption through a cultural approach that integrates environmental concerns with reflections on the role that consumption has come to occupy in our contemporary capitalist societies. The mutual relationship between capitalism and consumption is addressed along with early critiques of industrialization that exposed environmental problems. Toxic waste and its illegal dumping are examined, along with the problem of abuse of poorere areas and nations when it comes to disposing of toxic material. The question of solutions to the problems created by consumption and waste is raised and the claim is advanced that we do not necessarily need to stop being consumers. This timely book can be used in introductory sociology, social problems, and classes on environment and sustainability.

This book is part of the Framing 21st Century Social Issues Series which offers readable, teachable "thinking frames" on today's social problems and social issues by leading scholars, all in short 60 page or shorter formats, and available for view on http://routledge.customgateway.com/routledge-social-issues.html.

For instructors teaching a wide range of courses in the social sciences, the Routledge Social Issues Collection now offers the best of both worlds: originally written short texts that provide "overviews" to important social issues as well as teachable excerpts from larger works previously published by Routledge and other presses.

Glossary/Index

A

Adorno, Theodor 44

Africa 27–29, 49

air pollution 32

Anand, Mulk Raj 18

anomic: a term used by Durkheim to indicate lack of norms and rules that potentially result from the changing conditions of modern society 37

‘Anthropocene’ era 44

anthropogenic: caused by humans 32

B

Bailey, Ronald 6

Bataille, Georges 18, 46–47

Beddoes, Thomas 36

Bhopal gas tragedy 23

bodies

consumption and health of 33, 34, 36–37

Fascism’s need to control 40

body politic, health of 34

body social 36–37

Brazil 30

British Petroleum 24, 48

Burnett, Sterling 6

C

calling: in Protestantism it refers to the inner urge leading the individual to accomplish a task given by God 35

Calvinism: a branch of the Reformed Church initiated by John Calvin whose central belief was predestination to salvation or damnation 35

camorra: a Neapolitan secret society involved in mafia-like criminal activities 29–30, 31

camorrista: a member of the camorra 30

Capital (Marx) 10

capitalism

see modern capitalism

carbon dioxide (CO₂): a colorless and odorless gas produced both naturally and by human activities, especially through the burning of fossil fuels 1, 12, 32

advertisement for 5–6

carcinogenic: describing a substance that causes cancer 29

toxic waste 22, 28, 29, 30, 31

Carlyle, Thomas 13

caste system: a system of stratification that divides people based on their status at birth 18

Center for Consumer Freedom 45–46

chemical compound: a substance formed by two or more different chemical elements 21

Cheyne, George 33

chromium: hard, shiny metallic element that can at certain levels be toxic and carcinogenic and is often found in abandoned production sites 31

climate change: major changes in the pattern of temperature, wind, rainfall and snow measured over a long period of time and that can be caused by natural and human factors 1

adaptation to 6

‘Anthropocene’ era of 44

industry interest groups opposing 5–6

climate skeptics 2, 4–7

and defense of consumption 3, 45–46

and desire not to change economic system 6–7

industry interest groups in support of 5–6

opposing restrictions on freedom 5, 6, 45–46

cobalt 60: man-made radioactive isotope of cobalt 31

Competitive Enterprise Institute 5–6

The Conditions of the Working Class in 1844 (Engels) 10

consumerism: a system based on t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Series Foreword
• Preface
• I: Global Warming, Consumption, and Our Way of Life
• II: Capitalism and Consumption
• III: The Production of Waste
• IV: Abused Waste
• V: Another Look at Consumption
• VI: Excess and Waste Revisited
• References
• Glossary/Index