Elements to a sociological theory of consumption

Abstract

The practice of consumption is in the center of the social reproduction process in developed societies. Nevertheless, consumption continues to be peripheral in sociological theory. On the other hand, sociological theory needs to work in concrete fields of practices. This paper is proposed as a step to a sociological theory of consumption. Consumption requires to break with the hypothesis of consumer as a passive agent. This piece of work suggest the passing from consumption as alienation to consumption as appropriation, a Marxist concept. It recuperates the concept of use. This concept helps to observe the practice of consumption in two faces: forms and strategies of consumption. To investigate on consumption forms of a good is to ask about consumer’s life experiences at he time and space of consumption. To investigate on strategies of consumption is to ask about the structuration process and the way social sectors experience their position in the social structure.