A1 Journal article (refereed)
Epätoivon perinteestä onnellisuuden tavoitteluun : taloudellinen ajattelu, sosiaalinen oikeudenmukaisuus ja elämäntavan muutos J. K. Galbraithin runsauden yhteiskunnassa (2008)

Kokkonen, T. (2008). Epätoivon perinteestä onnellisuuden tavoitteluun : taloudellinen ajattelu, sosiaalinen oikeudenmukaisuus ja elämäntavan muutos J. K. Galbraithin runsauden yhteiskunnassa. Janus, 16(1), 35-47.

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kokkonen, Tuomo

Journal or series: Janus

ISSN: 1235-7812

eISSN: 2489-4990

Publication year: 2008

Volume: 16

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 35-47

Publisher: Sosiaalipoliittinen yhdistys; Sosiaalityön tutkimuksen seura

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83678

Additional information: Artikkelit

Abstract

The article analyses J. K Galbraith's idea of social and economic change presented in his classic book The Affluent Society. Galbraith' s intentions are twofold. On the pragmatic level Galbraith calls for a realistic and comprehensive analysis of the economic and social situation of the United States in the late 1950's. On a normative and theoretical level he seeks to renew economic thinking as both scientific tradition and everyday practice. ln many ways Galbraith's project was parallel to the building of the welfare states in Europe. His goals were to detach society from the grip of economic thinking focused on the theme of scarcity, to accelerate economic growth, and to promote humanity and equality in the social conditions of society. This social change culminated in the rise of a new class. The new class was a social group of a well educated and work oriented middle class living a highly individualized and consumerist way of life. The latter part of the article criticizes that Galbraith was too optimistic in his trust in far-reaching social change. He did not give adequate attention to the problems of consumerism and individualization in terms of culture and identity.

Keywords: consumer society; social justice; lifestyle; welfare state; economic theories; societal policy

Free keywords: Galbraith, J. K.

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: Not rated