Postmodernist Cities

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how postmodern cities are not known for their nation-state characteristics as cities were in ancient times; now they are known as places of consumption, of eating, shopping and entertaining. The paper contends that postmodern cities have become palaces of consumption and greed and discusses how it is primarily due to increased production and the spreading of capitalism. The paper explains that we are living in a consumer society or a consumerist culture because consumption drives production instead of it being the other way around.

From the Paper:

"The city has been post modernized beyond belief. It appears as if eating, shopping and entertaining are the only activities cities are meant for. People love entertaining and being entertained in the new postmodern city (Lofland 1989). Consumerism however may not always involve money. There are some non-monetary consumption experiences, which are rampant in the cities such as street-shows, and art may not have really gone out of its spirits. We regularly see art exhibitions, concerts and antiques shows being held but they are more for purchasing and trading purposes than for the purpose of promotion of art."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arnold, J. (2001) 'Why consumer confidence matters', BBC Online, 25 September 2001, at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1561000/1561162.stm
• Baudrillard, J (1998a) The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures, Sage, London.
• Baudrillard, J. (1995b) 'The virtual illusion: or the automatic writing of the world', Theory, Culture and Society, 12, 97-107.
• Bauman, Z. (1983) 'Industrialism, consumerism and power', Theory, Culture and Society, 1(3), 32-43.
• Bauman, Z. (1987) Legislators and Interpreters: On Modernity, Post-modernity and Intellectuals, Polity, Cambridge.

More papers on Postmodernist Cities:

• Comparison Essay # 5259 : "The Port Cities of New York City & Dublin"
• Essay # 88976 : "Representation Ideology and Urban Form"
• Essay # 41743 : "Mass Transit and the needs of the Masses"

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