The Limits to Satisfaction
An Essay on the Problem of Needs and Commodities
- Publisher
- McGill-Queen's University Press
- Initial publish date
- Jun 1988
- Category
- General, Consumer Behavior
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780773506886
- Publish Date
- Jun 1988
- List Price
- $32.95
Add it to your shelf
Where to buy it
Description
Consumerism and capitalist and socialist industry have reached the point where state power is legitimatized by its ability to increase the number of commodities. A unique culture has been created in which marketing is the main social bond. Values no longer shape and condition needs, wants, desires, or preferences. Leiss draws on economics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology to show the vagueness of our thought on the relation between nature and culture, desire and reason, needs and commodities. This book raises serious, vital questions for all those concerned about the future of our present society.
About the author
William Leiss is a fellow and past president of the Royal Society of Canada, an officer of the Order of Canada, and professor emeritus at the School of Policy Studies, Queen’s University. He is the author of several books, including Mad Cows and Mother’s Milk: The Perils of Poor Risk Communication.
Editorial Reviews
"Leiss gives consistency to...a new discipline that challenges the monopoly of economics over social policy. But he does more: he radicalises the concept of ecology." Ivan Illich, Manchester Guardian "Leiss critically examines the bogus issue of false vs. true needs and shows that Critical Theory, Western Marxism and most radical sociology have been misguided in posing the question in this fashion...It is clearly written, well documented, brilliantly argued. A refreshing break from vacuous sociologese." Paul Piccone, Theory and Society
Other titles by
Deep Disposal
A Documentary Account of Burying Nuclear Waste in Canada
Canada and Climate Change
The Doom Loop in the Financial Sector
And Other Black Holes of Risk
C.B. Macpherson
Dilemmas of Liberalism and Socialism
The Priesthood of Science
A Work of Utopian Fiction
Hera, or Empathy
A Work of Utopian Fiction
Mad Cows and Mother's Milk, Second Edition
The Perils of Poor Risk Communication
In the Chamber of Risks
Understanding Risk Controversies
Mad Cows and Mother's Milk
The Perils of Poor Risk Communication
