Sweetness and Power

This is one of the two parts of what the author calls “ritualization” (122), which is the process of integrating new aspects of one’s life and any associated meanings into one’s regular routines. In this study, extensification refers to the changing status of sugar as more and more people gained access to sugar products and integrated sugar into their daily lives. Extensification occurs when old meanings are changed as sugar is taken up by new groups of people in new ways.

“Inside” meaning is the kind of meaning that a social group’s members understand in common relating to the rituals and routines of the group. People prove their understanding of these meanings when they, for example, demonstrate their knowledge about what kinds of treats are appropriate to serve guests at dinner. These will be treats that the dinner guests will also be expecting based on their understanding of the host-guest relationship within their shared social group.

Intensification is the second part of ritualization: Unlike extensification’s break with past usage and meanings, intensification (in terms of sugar usage) refers to the “emulation” (122) of previous usage and meanings when sugar is taken up by new people. Sugar is incorporated into ceremonies and rituals (for example, as a chief ingredient in wedding cakes) even though much of the heavy symbolism of previous eras is removed. Still, there remains an attempt to mimic prior usage.

Mercantilism is an economic philosophy that underpinned English policy toward its colonial holdings from the 17th century until free trade policies replaced it in the 19th century. The mercantilist relationship between the English motherland and its colonies included restricting colonial exports to England, forcing colonies to purchase finished products from England, and mandating that all trade be conducted in British ships. This arrangement was expensive for the British state to maintain and inconsistently benefited different classes (e.g., factory owners on the one hand and the planter class on the other).

As opposed to “inside” meaning, this kind of meaning refers to a thing’s role in the greater institutions and social structures of a society. Whereas an “inside” meaning relating to sugar could refer to the kinds of sugar that a host knows would be appropriate to provide guests at tea, the “outside” meaning of sugar could relate to sugar’s role in English policymaking or its importance for political debates and the economy.