A Consumers' Republic - The Politics of Mass Consumption in Postwar America (Paperback)

The three decades after World War II are often heralded as a “Golden Era” of American affluence. But as Lizabeth Cohen makes clear, the pursuit of prosperity defined much more than the nation’s economy; it also became a basic component of American citizenship. Consumers were encouraged to buy not just for themselves, but for the good of the nation.

After a decade and a half of hard times resulting from the Great Depression and the war, the embrace of mass consumption, with its supposed far-reaching benefits—greater freedom, democracy, and equality—transformed American life. The extensive suburbanization of metropolitan areas (propelled by such government policies as the GI Bill), the shift from downtowns to shopping centers, and the advent of targeted marketing all fueled the consumer economy, but also sharpened divisions among Americans along gender, class, and racial lines. At the same time, mass consumption changed American politics, inspiring new forms of political activism through the civil rights and consumer movements and prompting politicians to apply the latest marketing strategies to their political campaigns.

Cohen traces the legacy of the “Consumers’ Republic” into our time, demonstrating how it has reshaped our relationship to government itself, with Americans increasingly judging public services—as if one more purchased good—by the personal benefits they derive from them.

Brilliantly researched and reasoned, A Consumers’ Republic is a starkly illuminating social and political history.


From the Hardcover edition.

General

Imprint:	Vintage Books
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	December 2003
First published:	December 2003
Authors:	Lizabeth Cohen
Dimensions:	202 x 132 x 30mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	576
ISBN-13:	978-0-375-70737-7
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > American history > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues > Consumer issues Books > History > American history > General Promotions
LSN:	0-375-70737-9
Barcode:	9780375707377

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