Magical Capitalism: Enchantment, Spells, and Occult Practices in Contemporary Economies
Jul 2018 · Springer
Ebook
349
Pages
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
This volume of essays examines the ways in which magical practices are found in different aspects of contemporary capitalist societies. From contract law to science, by way of finance, business, marketing, advertising, cultural production, and the political economy in general, each chapter argues that the kind of magic studied by anthropologists in less developed societies – shamanism, sorcery, enchantment, the occult – is not only alive and well, but flourishing in the midst of so-called ‘modernity’. Modern day magicians range from fashion designers and architects to Donald Trump and George Soros. Magical rites take place in the form of political summits, the transformation of products into brands through advertising campaigns, and the biannual fashion collections shown in New York, London, Milan and Paris. Magical language, in the form of magical spells, is used by everyone, from media to marketers and all others devoted to the art of ‘spin’.
Whilemagic may appear to be opposed to systems of rational economic thought, Moeran and Malefyt highlight the ways it may in fact be an accomplice to it.
Whilemagic may appear to be opposed to systems of rational economic thought, Moeran and Malefyt highlight the ways it may in fact be an accomplice to it.
About the author
Brian Moeran is an anthropologist who specialises in cultural production and Japan. He has, in his time, been a helicopter pilot in Her Britannic Majesty’s Royal Navy, a television comedian in Japan, and the first social scientist appointed to a Chair Professorship in language and literature at a UK university.
Timothy de Waal Malefyt is Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing at Gabelli Business School, Fordham University, USA. He is a corporate anthropologist who worked for 15 years in advertising agencies, including BBDO and D’Arcy. He blends consumer insights with anthropological theories, and is a former ballet dancer at the Joffrey.
Timothy de Waal Malefyt is Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing at Gabelli Business School, Fordham University, USA. He is a corporate anthropologist who worked for 15 years in advertising agencies, including BBDO and D’Arcy. He blends consumer insights with anthropological theories, and is a former ballet dancer at the Joffrey.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
