Challenging Choices: Ideology, Consumerism and Policy

ISBN-13: 9781847423979 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 224 str.

Michael Clarke

Opis

Choice pervades our society: it is founded on political rights to choose and our economy on market choices, but we have now reached the point where choice is extended almost everywhere. This lively and topical book provides a critique of choice in contemporary society and policy, arguing that we can have too much of a good thing. And there are alternatives.In part one, the author shows how choice works at a personal level, its demands, and how it can fail. By examining healthcare, education and pensions, he then explores the alternatives, such as provision.In part two the book reviews the impact of choice through the life cycle, in areas such as careers, relationships fertility, retirement and death. The author considers whether this enhances or burdens our lives, and questions the assumption that more choice is always for the better.

Spis treści

Introduction; Part One: Choice and consumerism: What is choice?; Making choices: just fun?; Choice and the consumer society; When choice does not work; Some wider problems with choice; Part Two: Choice and the life cycle: Introduction: choice and the life cycle; Jobs and careers; Lovers, partners, spouses; Fertility and family; Retirement; Death; Part three: Conclusions: Choice and meaning; Conclusion.