Hi John, Paul and everyone else following this debate,
I just opened the current issue of Social Policy and Society (Vol. 1, part
3), and noticed the article by Colin C. Williams: Social exclusion in a
Consumer Society: a study of five rural communities (pp. 203), which might
be of interest.
In a nutshell, the article argues that social exclusion should be
investigated also in relation to consumption. Evidence from interviews with
350 households in Engld is reported. "This reveals that people define
themselves as excluded from mainstream consumption not only when they are
unable to acquire goods, but also when they rely on informal second-hand
channels (e.g. car boot sales, second hand shops) to obtain them."
(abstract) Interesting examples are provided where the channels for
acquiring goods are regarded as important as there are serious issues
concerning quality (e.g. refrigerators) and where they don't so much (e.g.
cars).
The point is also made that higher income groups may indeed enjoy
alternative retail spaces, it is when people are forced to use such
channels that they perceive such practice as a sign of exclusion.
Birgit
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Birgit Jentsch
Dugald Baird Centre for Research on Women's Health
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Aberdeen Maternity Hospital
Cornhill Road
Aberdeen AB25 2ZL
Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)1224 554672
Fax: +44 (0)1224 404925
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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