Work, Consumerism, and the New Poor

◎ How does our way of life create new poor people? The famous sociologist and thinker Zygmunt Baumann's warning work interprets the myth of poverty under consumerism.

◎ In contemporary times, the only thing people can do is to accept that this is a consumer society, but always be vigilant, so that there is a possibility of resistance.

◎Douban Annual Book List, Zhihu’s Annual Book List Top, China Reading News Annual Top 100 Books, FT Chinese Network’s Annual Business Book List Top, Duo Catch Fish’s Annual Fresh Fish List, National Independent Bookstore Joint Recommendation

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【brief introduction】

In a society of producers and widespread employment, poverty is one thing. In a consumer society, poverty is another matter. In the latter society, life items are built around consumer choices rather than jobs, professional skills. Once "poverty" was associated with unemployment, today it refers primarily to the plight of flawed consumers. This difference changes the way poverty is experienced, with major implications for saving suffering. This work by the famous sociologist and thinker Bauman reflects on and discusses consumer society and its impact. In this volume, Bowman traces this change in modern history, takes stock of its social consequences, and considers the effectiveness of various ways of combating poverty and alleviating hardship.

Students of sociology, political science, and social policy will find this an invaluable book on an enduring social problem with changing meanings.

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【Celebrity and media recommendation】

After reading this book, Marx would also weep.

—— "Economic Observer Book Review Supplement"

The feeling of reading Bowman is always strong. Although he is not full of ruthless criticism of the consumer society like the late Jean Baudrillard or the young Naomi Klein, his clear and profound explanations always aggravate our anxiety.

——"Financial Nation Weekly"

People are generally trapped in the plight of houses, cars, and child support. This is not only due to the lack of government public welfare, but also the role of deeper consumption patterns in modern society. Bowman recognized the problem and tried hard to answer it.

—— "First Financial Daily"

A book that explores the nature of change in depth and discusses our current transition from a "producer's society" to a "consumer's society".

—— NetEase Reading Channel

You and I may be the contemporary "new poor" he defined.

—— Tiger Sniff

In the eyes of everyone, Bowman is a moral voice for the poor and exploited under the trend of globalization. Whether writing on the Holocaust or globalization, his focus has always been on how humans can create through ethical decision-making.

Create a life of dignity.

——Interface News

People always regard Bauman as a prophet who predicted the post-modern society. In fact, his theoretical construction is entirely based on the sensitivity of his personal situation: he lacks a sense of belonging, and a fluid, all-solid

The advent of a consumerist world in which everything that is fixed is falling apart makes his anxiety grow day by day.

——"Southern People Weekly"