Emotions and Economy

Abstract

Sociologists have long considered emotions as central to social life, but their investigations have remained largely outside of the subfield of economic sociology. This entry takes a wide lens to the topic of emotions and economy. It begins with a brief reflection on the statements of classical sociologists and political economists before reporting on research on emotion work, the central sociological concept in the intersection of economy and emotions. The second part reviews newer research that examines emotions in economic, financial, and consumer interactions as well as how emotions provide a currency in contemporary forms of capitalism.