Tourists who visit Mardi Gras in New Orleans are unaware of the harsh working conditions experienced by young factory workers in China who produce many of the products that are consumed at the festival. Instead, tourists enjoy the festivity through the consumption of products that satisfy their desire for experiences. This is an example of ___________ of commodities.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "fetishization of commodities" refers to the process by which the social and labor conditions behind the production of goods are obscured or ignored, and the goods are valued for their ability to satisfy desires or for their market value, rather than for the labor that produced them. This concept is derived from Karl Marx's critique of capitalism, where he discusses commodity fetishism as a form of alienation, where social relationships are expressed as relationships between things. In the context of Mardi Gras tourists enjoying products without awareness of the labor conditions behind them, this represents a clear example of fetishization.

Tourists Who Visit Mardi Gras in New Orleans Are Unaware