Communication and Economic Life

Communication about money and the economy is changing, with opportunities to discuss economic matters online and new payment systems and shopping platforms embedding economic behavior more deeply into communications infrastructures. This book offers a new framework for thinking about the role of communication in our economic lives, understanding economic life not only in terms of the macro economy but also in terms of processes of providing for material wants and needs. It explores how our economic lives are constructed communicatively in a variety of modes that move through, but also exceed, mass media.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 17 December 2021
Publisher: Polity Press

When discussing media and the economy, it is common to focus on the macro economy or GDP as the primary aspect. However, the realm of communication about money and the economy extends far beyond this limited perspective. In everyday life, people engage in diverse conversations about economic matters, both in public and private contexts. Moreover, these conversations are constantly evolving as online platforms provide new avenues for discussing economic issues, while innovative payment systems and shopping platforms integrate economic behavior into the very fabric of communication infrastructures.

To challenge the traditional narrow definitions of the relationship between media and the economy, this ambitious book offers a fresh framework for understanding the role of communication in our economic lives. By expanding the scope to encompass a broader category of communicative practices, the book proposes a sociological perspective on economic life, recognizing it as a complex set of processes involving the provision of material wants and needs. It emphasizes the significance of how we talk about these desires and our means of fulfilling them in shaping our understanding of our economic selves.

The book delves into the intricate ways in which our economic lives are constructed communicatively, traversing various modes that extend beyond traditional mass media. It explores the symbolic significance of credit cards, the language used by economists, the promotional strategies employed on social media, and the debates that take place in online forums. By examining these diverse modes of communication, the book sheds light on the multifaceted ways in which economic ideas and practices are disseminated and negotiated.

Communication and Economic Life serves as a valuable resource for students and scholars in the fields of media and communications, sociology, and anyone with an interest in exploring how we talk about economic lives. It provides a comprehensive examination of the complex interplay between communication, economic practices, and societal norms, offering insights into the ways in which our economic experiences are shaped and communicated. Through its interdisciplinary approach, the book encourages a deeper understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of economic life and the role that communication plays in shaping our perceptions and interactions with the economy.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 237 x 152 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780745687018