Exclusion and antagonism in consumption assemblages

Consumption at large is embedded within politics. CCT research using assemblage sensibility does an excellent job in mapping existing relations, and consequently overlooks those that are excluded or what lies exterior as an antagonism. In this conceptual article we highlight ‘the political’ deficit in consumption assemblage research and suggest discourse-theoretical-DT approach of Ernesto Laclau and Chantall Mouffe as complementary theory to fill this gap. We do a comparative analysis of the ontological and epistemological assumptions of ANT/assemblage and DT approach and suggest that a possibility of cross-pollination of both the approaches. The combined approach offers better research outcomes in dealing with the contemporary questions of theoretical and practical importance such as climate change, New Social Movements, and the issues of inclusion, equity, and diversity. We call for bringing ‘the political’ to the fore especially when in present times consumption has become an area of politics.