Reprint Retrospective—"Historical Roots of Consumer Culture" from Advertising, The Uneasy Persuasion

This is a reprint of "Historical Roots of Consumer Culture," Chapter 5 from Michael Schudson's book Advertising, The Uneasy Persuasion: Its Dubious Impact on American Society (Basic Books, 1986). The selection is accompanied by an interview with Michael Schudson about the book, the development of consumer culture, the relationship between advertising and journalism, and Schudson's research since this book's publication. The reprint and interview's goals are to encourage reflection on advertising's place in consumer culture as well as advertising's changing relationship to journalism. In the interview, Schudson covers the inspiration for Advertising, The Uneasy Persuasion, his work on cigarettes and anti-smoking efforts, the blurring lines between advertising and journalism, his recent book on transparency, fake news, and advice on conducting advertising and journalism history research.