The Case for Local Shops

"It is surely the case that 'big box' stores can, owing again to their clout as buyers, deliver a host of manufactured goods at a cheaper price than the petty bourgeoisie. What is not so clear, however, is whether, once one has factored in all the public goods... the petty bourgeoisie provides--informal social work, public safety, the aesthetic pleasures of an animated and interesting streetscape, a large variety of social experiences and personalized services, acquaintance networks, informal neighborhood news and gossip, a building block of social solidarity and public action, and (in the case of the smallholding peasantry) good stewardship of the land--the petty bourgeoisie might not bem in a full accounting, a far better bargain, in the long run, than the large, impersonal capitalist firm." -- James C. Scott, Two Cheers for Anarchism

If you have never lived in a neighborhood with a thriving culture of local commercial activity, you will have no idea how different it is than shopping the big box stores. I shop almost every day in my neighborhood, and it is a daily pleasure, rather than the grim chore that is going to Home Depot or Walmart.

Comments

  1. Yes it is nicer but I expect you're in the top 25%. Declining marginal utility etc. As people get richer they demand more character and pleasure from shopping.

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    Replies
    1. Poor people need neighborhood shops much more than rich people do! See list of externalities above, and Jane Jacobs on cities.

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