Discussions on the relationship between emotions and consumption in the 21st century

Considering consumption as a mode of appropriation and acquisition of goods, services, subjects, and experiences within market societies, there exists a widespread concern regarding how individuals (re)signify their consumption practices in emotional terms. Consequently, it is essential to examine the forms of consumption organised in the 21st century, acknowledging that the relationship between emotions and consumption is inherently intertwined with socio-historical contingencies. In this context, this chapter aims to review the topic of consumption in the present century from the perspective of social studies on emotions. Within this framework, three main areas where the relationship between consumption and emotions has been examined in the literature are identified: 1) the state sphere, 2) the market sphere, and 3) the digital sphere. Guided by this categorisation and aligned with our research interests and trajectories, the bibliographic review has been organised into the following thematic axes: 1) Marketing and Emotions, 2) Social Media and the Digitalisation of Daily Life, and 3) Social Policies and Consumption. From this analysis, we conclude that emotions function as a constitutive element of consumption practices and represent a critical aspect of the economic organisation of contemporary capitalism.