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Conspicuous consumption and the positional economy: policy and prescription since 1970

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  • Roger Mason

    (School of Management, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, UK)

Abstract

In more recent years, the social significance of consumption has increased to such an extent that activity in the so-called 'positional economy' is now seen to threaten prospects for sustainable, long-term economic growth. In particular, the demand for status goods, fuelled by conspicuous consumption, has diverted many resources away from investment in the manufacture of more material goods and services in order to satisfy consumer preoccupations with their relative social standing and prestige. This paper looks at the policies and prescriptions which have been proposed in order to reduce levels of 'conspicuous waste' in the positional sector, and to redirect resources back into more productive economic activity. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger Mason, 2000. "Conspicuous consumption and the positional economy: policy and prescription since 1970," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(3-4), pages 123-132.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:21:y:2000:i:3-4:p:123-132
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.977
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gene M. Grossman & Carl Shapiro, 1988. "Foreign Counterfeiting of Status Goods," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 103(1), pages 79-100.
    2. Roger Mason, 1998. "The Economics of Conspicuous Consumption," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1508, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oliver Hinz & Martin Spann & Il-Horn Hann, 2015. "Research Note—Can’t Buy Me Love…Or Can I? Social Capital Attainment Through Conspicuous Consumption in Virtual Environments," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 26(4), pages 859-870, December.
    2. Tan, Yuxuan & Gong, Yanping & Xie, Julan & Li, Jian & Liu, Yongdan, 2022. "More mindfulness, less conspicuous consumption? Evidence from middle-aged Chinese consumers," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    3. João Bernardino & Tanya Araújo, 2010. "On Positional Consumption and Technological Innovation- an Agent-based Approach," Working Papers Department of Economics 2010/04, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Department of Economics, Universidade de Lisboa.

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