Marx’s Theory On Consumption And Its Contemporary Value

Since the beginning of the 20 th century, a change has had a profound impact on the western world’s social structure, lifestyle and cultural experience. It is the rise of consumer society. In the consumer society, consumption’s alienation become the mainstream. To a great extent, consumption deviated from the original purpose and meaning, and detached from the real needs of people. In recent years, with the development of productivity and the expansion of economic globalization, the western consumerism culture spread gradually in China. People’s consumption on concept and behavior exhibit great similarity with western consumer society in many aspects. At this time, the research of Marx’s theory on consumption becomes inevitable. Marx’s theory on consumption refer to problems such as social development and human needs, human essence, human development, the relationship between human and nature in consumption activities, reveal humanism connotation in his consumption thought.Deeply researching the consumption theory in the classics of Marx is of great significance for us to critique modern consumerism, and innovate the consumption culture of current Chinese.The paper contains four chapters. Chapter 1 clarifies the source and significance of the subject firstly, then discourses the scholars’ research of contemporary "consumption" and exploration of Marx’s theory on consumption, finally expounds the basic ideas of this thesis. Chapter 2 focuses on explaining Marx’s theory on consumption, discusses the generating and content of Marx’s theory on consumption,and summarizes the characteristics of Marx’s theory on consumption. Chapter 3combining with the reality of contemporary China, utilizes Marx’s alienation theory of consumption to analyze the phenomenon of consumption’s alienation in contemporary China. Chapter 4 puts forward that setting up scientific consumption view to deal with practical problems. On the basis of Marx’s theory on consumption, combines with the Scientific Outlook on Development in contemporary China,then forms scientific consumption view, realizes sustainable consumption, harmonious consumption,humanism consumption, promotes to build a well-off society in an all-round strategic target.