You are here

Enchanting a Disenchanted World
Share

Enchanting a Disenchanted World
Continuity and Change in the Cathedrals of Consumption

Third Edition


December 2009 | 272 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

CourseSmart

The only book to connect the everyday world of the 20-something undergraduate consumer with sound sociological analysis of the world of consumption

 

Enchanting a Disenchanted World, Third Edition examines Disney, malls, cruise lines, Las Vegas, the world wide web, Planet Hollywood, credit cards, and all the other ways we now consume. Thoroughly updated to reflect the recent economic recession and the impact of the internet, bestselling author George Ritzer continues to explore this book’s central thesis: that our society has undergone fundamental change because of the way and the level at which we consume.

This Third Edition demonstrates how we have created new "cathedrals" of consumption (places that enchant us so as to entice us to stay longer and consume more) while continuing to take capitalism to a new level. These places of consumption, whether in our homes, the mall, or cyberspace, are in a constant state of "enchanting the disenchanted," luring us through new spectacles because their rational qualities are both necessary and deadening at the same time.

New and Hallmark Features

  • Offers a unique analysis of the world of consumption, especially the settings in which consumption takes place
  • Discusses the recent global economic recession throughout
  • Offers rich details on consuming in such places as Las Vegas, Disney World, on cruise ships, in Wal-Mart, at McDonald’s, and, new to this edition, on the Web
  • Includes a wide range of theoretical perspectives—Marxian, Weberian, critical theory, postmodern theory—as well as a number of concepts such as hyperconsumption, implosion, simulation, and time and space to show students how sociological theory can be applied to everyday phenomena


Bundle Options - Explore discounted bundles available with this text. Our bundle prices are lower than the prices of most other introductory Sociology texts alone! Please contact your Sales Representative for more information.

Intended Audience
Enchanting in a Disenchanted World, Third Edition
brings life to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Introductory Sociology, Social Problems, Sociological Theory, Economic Sociology, Sociology of Culture, and the Sociology of Consumption.

Contributor to the SAGE Teaching Innovations and Professional Development Award

Find out more at www.sagepub.com/sociologyaward


 
1. A Tour of the New Means of Consumption
 
2. The Revolution in Consumption and the Larger Society
 
3. Social Theory and the New Means of Consumption
 
4. Rationalization, Enchantment, and Disenchantment
 
5. Reenchantment: Creating Spectacle Through Extravaganzas and Simulations
 
6. Reenchantment: Creating Spectacle Through Implosion, Time, and Space
 
7. Landscapes of Consumption
 
8. The Cathedrals (and Landscapes) of Consumption: Continuity and Change

May be supplemental with another text.

Ms Rachael Smith
Criminology Crimal Justice, Arizona Univ
October 23, 2013

Adopted two other books (The Social Lens and Illuminating Social Life) published by Sage that substantively covers the core ideas in this text.

Dr James Dzisah
Sociology , Nipissing Univ
October 18, 2011

I have used Ritzer's Enchanting a Disenchanted World for perhaps 4 years now. I use it for three reasons: 1) it demonstrates Marx, Weber, and Baudriallrd so that students see theorizing being done; 2) it imaginatively and cogently addresses an issue with which we are all familiar; 3) it shows sociology's critical potential and capacity.

Brad Breems

Dr Brad Breems
Sociology Dept, Trinity Christian College
March 15, 2011

This is an accessible but thorough discussion of 'consumer society' - a key text for today's social theory students.

Dr Serena Bufton
School of Social Science & Law, Sheffield Hallam University
September 21, 2010

This is a great follow-up from Ritzer and for many students offers an alternative perspective towards neo-liberal critiques. In addition, it offers another way of thinking about the impact of social orders on changes and trends within and accross a range of community practices.

Jane Jackson
Educational Psychology , The Open University
September 6, 2010
Key features
 
  • Offers a unique analysis of the world of consumption, especially the settings in which consumption takes place
  • Discusses the recent global economic recession throughout
  • Offers rich details on consuming in such places as Las Vegas, Disney World, on cruise ships, in Wal-Mart, at McDonald's, and, new to this edition, on the Web
  • Includes a wide range of theoretical perspectives—Marxian, Weberian, critical theory, postmodern theory—as well as a number of concepts such as hyperconsumption, implosion, simulation, and time and space to show students how sociological theory can be applied to everyday phenomena
  • For instructors

    Select a Purchasing Option


    Rent or Buy eBook
    ISBN: 9781483343297

    Paperback
    ISBN: 9781412975810
    $95.00

    This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.