With growing affluence in the developed world, food has become an increasing focus for attention. Here, the authors argue that in order to understand the extensive and dramatic developments in the world of food, a new interdisciplinary approach is necessary. The Age of Affluence successfully addresses food consumption in this way. The volume:
* argues the importance of socioeconomic and cultural factors over diet, in influencing the production, marketing and consumption of different groups of foods;
* places food systems theory on sound analytical foundations;
* draws critically upon food systems literature;
* includes case studies from the sugar, dairy and meat systems;
* employs novel statistical techniques to identify and explain distinct patterns of food consumption;
The book will help to revitalize the discipline of food studies and points the way forward for the continuing study of food consumption. As such, it will be invaluable to students, researchers and policymakers engaged in the world of food.

About the Author
Ben Fine is Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Economic Policy for Southern Africa at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. His previous work includes The World of Consumption with Ellen Leopold and was published by Routledge in 1993. Michael Heasman is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Food Policy, Thames Valley University, London. He has researched widely on different aspects of the food economy. Judith Wright is a Research Officer at the Social Statistics Research Unit, City University. She has undertaken research using a variety of large social survey datasets.

Reviews

'... should be read widely... offers a fresh perspective with which to analyze issues that have troubled Marxists for many years...' - Capital & Class

Book Information
ISBN 9780415135795
Author Ben Fine
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g