The s Theory Of Political Economy - 795 Words

Originally coined by Bernhard London (1932) in the context of the Great Depression, up to this date there is no generally accepted definition of planned obsolescence. According to a common definition by Tim Cooper, planned obsolescence is â€Å"the outcome of a deliberate decision by suppliers that a product should no longer be functional or desirable after a predetermined period† (Cooper, 2010, p. 4). Another frequently cited definition was formulated by industrial designer Brooks Stevens: â€Å"Instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary† (cit. in Adamson, 2003, p. 4). Whereas the former definition emphasises the planning involved in designing products, the latter foregrounds the manipulation of consumer desires and implicitly argues that these desires have become detached from actual human needs. What is frequently overlooked, however, is the inherent critique of capitalism in the narrative of planned obsolescence and how strongly it builds upon Marx s theory of political economy.1 Marx was already well aware of the fact that even perfectly functioning goods can lose their value and become obsolete, a phenomenon he termed â€Å"moral depreciation† (1992, p. 264). To Marx, the reason for this lies in the capitalist logic of accumulation, which forces manufacturers to constantly innovate and modernise their means of production. The higher production capacity resulting from this, however, can only be maintainedShow MoreRelatedDemography s Classic Transition Theory1464 Words   |  6 PagesDemography s classic-transition theory furthers the modernization narrative that is central to this argument. The theory presents a three-phase timeline to explain the reproductive history of all nations. Countries begin in the pre-transition phase where high mortality and high birth rates create slow population growth, which is considered a traditional society. The second phase is the transition where slowing mortality rates and high birth rates produce raid population growth. During this stageRead MoreThe Classical School And The Neoclassic1702 Words   |  7 PagesToday s Economy as it relates to Classical and Neoclassical Thought Economic thoughts and theories are constantly evolving. One reason being is the growth and evolution of humans and systems. This constant change often brings about greater economics challenges. Thus, we can strongly contend to the fact that the state of today’s economic isn’t as found in the 18th or 19th and so on. Moreover, economic theorists presented with these robust economic challenges often time build up on each other. ThatRead MoreEssay about Comparison of Urban Sociological Theories921 Words   |  4 PagesSociological Theories In order for an urban sociologist to discover â€Å"How urban societies work,† theories of â€Å"urban ecology† or â€Å"political economy† are used as a guide in their research. Urban ecology refers to the importance of social structure and social organization as shaping social life in the city. Urban ecologist concerns for social order, social cohesion, community ties and social differentiation offer key insight to how societies work (Kleniewski, 2001). Alternatively political economy stressesRead MoreThe Nature of Political Economy†931 Words   |  4 PagesAn essay on Robert Gilpin â€Å"The Nature of Political Economy† This chapter introduces differences and similarities between politics and economics. Both of them affect one another. In another hand, politicians and economists have different ideas and consumptions about the same facts. Also, they choose different ways of analysis. Moreover, Mr. Gilpin talks about the importance of the understanding the nature of political economy. In today’s rapidly changing world, where globalization takes place andRead MoreDo Marx s Views On Capitalism Provide Any Insights Into Economic Globalisation Today? Essay1187 Words   |  5 PagesDo Marx s views on capitalism provide any insights into economic globalisation today? Emma Hentschel ID : 216152064  Do Marx s views on capitalism provide any insights into economic globalisation today? Globalization in one of the main driving forces within today s modern world. It is the historical process and transformational development in the global arena, where growth and establishment of global connections in the international community continues to evolve. It is a widely used phraseRead MoreInsight From Theory And History1638 Words   |  7 PagesEssay 1 Insights from Theory and History When referring to the subject of International Political Economy the main focus of study in this field looks at analyzing and finding reasons for the problems that arise or are affected from the interaction of international political decision, international economics, international trade, as well as different social systems and societal groups. Over the course and development of these systems prominent figures of economic theory and government interactionRead MorePresidential Elections Are Not Isolated From National Or World Macro Events931 Words   |  4 Pagesuntold influence on economies and stock markets. International macro events are countless; they can even have an impact at a state level in the U.S. Below are a few examples of international macro events as derived from the California Department of Finance (CDOF) website â€Å"Chronology of Significant Events†: †¢ Global conflicts †¢ Foreign energy resources †¢ Foreign trade policies †¢ Foreign political events †¢ Emerging foreign national economies †¢ Troubled foreign national economies The UnitedRead MoreThe Theory Of The Age Stratification Theory Essay972 Words   |  4 Pagesperspective has many other theories which include, structural functionalism, modernization, disengagement, continuity, activity, life course, and age stratification. The functionalist perspective has some advantages. These perspectives have been used more often than any other perspectives in the study of aging. Some of the earliest and most influential theories which gerontology used are, the disengagement theory, activity theory, and the modernization theory. These theories all rely on the functionalistRead More An Analysis of The Dominate Perspectives of International Political Economy1532 Words   |  7 Pages In the world of international political economy, three dominant perspectives have emerged over time. The differences and similarities between the realist/mercantilist, liberalism, and historical structuralism perspectives are significant. In this essay, I will compare and contrast these dominant perspectives. First, I will give a historical account of how each perspective originated. Then I will outline the actors involved in each perspective, explore those actors’ interests, and outline which ofRead MoreLiberalism, Mercantilism , Structuralism And Constructivism1422 Words   |  6 PagesWhen approaching political economics, there are a variety of places and perspectives one may begin from, the most common of which being identifiable as Liberalism, Mercantilism, Structuralism and Constructivism. Each of these political ideologies represent the culmination of works from many famous theorists and intellectuals, all of which help us to better understand how certain economies have the possibility of functioning in different situations. Focuses range from the power of the individual to