The central question in Work, Consumption and Culture is whether consumption has now displaced production as the defining factor in the lives of those in the industrialized West. This book offers a comprehensive review of the key issues in the production// consumption debate, and where it might lead in the future. Key to Paul Ransome's argument is the hypothesis that affluence is the crucial factor in the shift away from work and towards consumption. Uniquely emphasizing the links between work, consumption and culture, rather than keeping each element separate, Paul Ransome looks at: the changing significance of work in society; the meaning, growth and significance of affluence; the growing importance of consumption as a source of identity and its implications; the impact of the shift to consumption on work//life balance; Work, Consumption and Culture engages the reader with its lively debating style. It is an essential introduction for sociology and cultural studies students on courses relating to consumption and the role of work in contemporary society.