Deciphering Markets and Money: A Sociological Analysis of Economic Institutions

Abstract

who all read and commented-many of them quite thoroughly-the manuscript at various stages of writing. I also remain indebted to Uskali Mäki, who gave me valuable advice concerning some basic issues of economic theory. I found the suggestions and critical comments of the publisher's two anonymous reviewers extremely useful in trying to make my arguments more coherent and convincing. I have noted the smaller shortcomings and inconsistencies in the text that they pointed out as best as I could. As always, I alone am responsible for the final result. The Eminentia grant that The Finnish Cultural Foundation generously awarded me was not only welcome as an economic support but also as a sign of others having faith in my project. The faculty of the social sciences at the University of Helsinki has generously provided me with office space and facilities during the years that I have been working on this project. Last but not least, I am very glad that my book has been accepted in the publication series of the new Finnish academic publishing house, Helsinki University Press. The publishing director, Leena Kaakinen, and the publishing manager, Aino Rajala, have been supportive and very helpful during the whole process of editing and publication.

Understanding Cultural Non-Participation in an Egalitarian Context

“…Its main ideas stem from the community studies tradition and are based on the central argument that mainstream cultural sociology often disregards the many informal, vernacular, mundane and locally negotiated cultural practices that have little articulated value beyond their immediate contexts . While playing cards, picking mushrooms or being a regular at the local pub might make a person look 'inactive' if measured through mainstream cultural participation surveys emphasising canonised forms of cultural practices, that same person can be said to be extremely active from the perspective of everyday participation-and, in addition, these popular pastimes often overlooked by Bourdieu might have their meticulous social hierarchies and in this sense form entire 'social worlds' (Gronow 2020). Scholars studying everyday participation remind us that a 'careful analysis of the complexities of everyday life can help generate more democratic and more participatory everyday cultural environments' (Ebrey 2016, 158).…”

Society and consumption

“…They explain sources of profit and differentiation in the appeal of items to potential consumers. Such imaginative sociological work on types of market exchange has unrealised potential for studies of consumption (see also Gronow, 2020), particularly since often limited attention is paid to what happens after the point of transfer of assets. Perhaps processes of commodification, which account for the supply of goods to markets, can tell more about the process of consumption than direct investigation of consumer demand.…”