...Consumerism History of Consumerism Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in an elevated amount. Consumerism as an ideology first appeared in Western Europe roughly three hundred years ago. It gave a rise in consumer’s need and importance to the display of material items. It promoted economic progress, a rise in small shops, an increase in the growth of cities, and an incline in individualism. A shift in the market hit right before the Industrial Revolution. Capitalist development and the industrial revolution focused on infrastructure and production and manipulation of fossil fuels. In 1919 consumerism began to sweep over the American population when General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) was established. The General Motors Acceptance Corporation mission was to issue loans to customers who had purchased a vehicle. Americans started the notion of “Keeping up with the joneses” which is the idea that Americans compare themselves to their neighbors, defining each stance in socio-cultural inferiority. With this new need for status with possessions was thought to be the beginning of the American consumer culture. Soon after The Great Depression and World War broke out. When the war-ceased consumers went wild, credit cards issued first for convince took off quickly to show status through the products each individual had. Consumerism gathered strength in the United States through internal trade growing, expansion...
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...Consumerism and the Impact of Social Class “People in a consumer society consume to improve their quality of life; there are costs associated with this practice (financial, time, ecological, societal and human) for the individual and the collective” (McGregor). Associated in this piece is the concentration in the belief of consumerism’s affect on the societal structure in terms of the social class standards, between lower, middle, and upper class sections. The dependent variable is consumerism; the rise in spending and its involvement and impact in the economy and social standards of today’s society. Independent variable is the focus of socioeconomic status and social class; concerning the idea that wealth allows greater amounts of consuming, however the lower class strives for similar status in the material and nonmaterial goods. Factors that provide consumerism in society and the economy are the buying of consumer goods, which has expanded in recent decades to national and global lengths. Consumerism is said to be the reason that the U.S. had turned citizens into shoppers, making Americans less free to the economy and the market. Globalization; the process of goods and services over national boundaries, is a rising factor, due to the buying, selling and networking of products globally. Countries like the U.S. China have benefitted by the globalization, but also have impacted their society and culture, from the influence of cultural differences, negatively and positively...
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...The Boondocks -vs- Consumerism Consumerism is normally something that Americans associate with our economy or large corporations, but it has definitely gone beyond just these two concepts. In today’s society, consumerism has managed to spread to movies, songs, advertisements, and more importantly to television shows. Consumerism has been defined by Dictionary.com as, “a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, and unfair pricing.” Aaron McGruder’s, episode of the animated Cartoon Network show, The Boondocks “The Block is Hot,” is about how a heat wave comes to the town of Woodcrest in the middle of the winter. A neighborhood girl named Jazmin starts a lemonade stand, which is bought by a businessman, Mr. Wuncler. Meanwhile, 10-year old political activist, Huey, stands on a soap box and talks about violations of human rights issues. Through these features, one can see how consumerism plays a role in this television show. Because this episode has the distinctive features most animated television shows have, of addressing real issues by exaggerating them, having recurring characters that the audience is familiar with and having a conflict or problem that is usually solved by the end of the episode, it demonstrates how consumerism isn’t just associated with our economy or large corporations. In, “The Block is Hot,” Aaron McGruder displays a distinctive feature that most animated television shows...
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...UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO - MARKETING DEPARTMENT Antecedents To Consumerism The Role Of Marketing By Nabila Youssri El-Assar 22-3384 To Dr. Noha El-Bassiouny On 10/12/2012 1 Literature Review Outline 1. Introduction 2. Consumerism in perspective 2.1. Definitions 2.1.1. First stream of thought: Benign Definitions 2.1.1.1. 2.1.1.2. 2.1.1.3. First definition: Manipulative Techniques Second definition: Customer is King Third definition: Globalization 2.1.2. Second stream of thought: Destructive Definition 2.1.2.1. Evolution Of The Consumer Culture 2.2. Implications Of The Benign Consumerism Definitions On Marketing Strategy 3. The Consumer Culture And The Consumption Society 3.1. Distinguishing Definition 3.2. Conditions For A Consumption Society 3.3. Unhealthy Pillars/Consequences Of The Consumption Society 3.3.1. Materialism 3.3.2. Compensatory consumption: The "Shopaholic" Phenomenon 3.3.3. I Shop Therefore I Am 3.3.4. Living Beyond Your Means 4. Antecedents To The Unhealthy Consumption Pillars 4.1. Intrinsic/Personal Influences 4.1.1. Personality Characteristics: 4.1.1.1. 4.1.1.2. 4.1.1.3. Self-Monitoring Personality Trait Innovativeness, Fashion Orientation And Opinion Leadership Ethical orientation 4.1.2. Psychological characteristics 4.1.2.1. 4.1.2.2. 4.1.2.3. 4.1.2.4. Co-morbidity and the Joint cycle of compulsive consumption Obsessive thoughts and Risk Taking Propensity Low self esteem Dealing with Negative Emotions and life challenges 4.2. Societal Influences:...
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...As people, we all have become materialistic in this modern society. We are competing with each other. People buy useless things because they see others or they wish something. In the article “Spent: America After Consumerism” the author, Amitai Etzioni, discusses two problems: consumerism and capitalism, which is causing an economic crisis. Etzioni explains how consumerism has become a social disease, where people are spending money on useless things to acquire higher lifestyle to fit in the society. He also suggests solutions, to control consumerism by following communitarianism or transcendental pursuit. However, many people feel that consumerism is part of life. They feel as if they acquire more materialistic objects or money it will bring happiness in their life. I do agree with the author that consumerism has become a social disease and people will do anything to acquire vain desires. At first, I have seen many people working extra-long hours to acquire their desires without thinking how restless life can affect them physically and mentally....
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...Consumerisms Effect Consumerisms Effect Consumerism is defined as, “the theory that an increasing consumption to goods is economically desirable; also: a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods” (“Consumerism,” n.d.). With this said, is consumerism healthy for anyone who is involved? From American cultures birth after the revolutionary war, this society has relished the flattery of consumerism. The search for wealth, material goods, and happiness has no boundaries in this society. Although some positive influences exist within consumerisms definition, a darker side to this phenomenon cannot be over looked. Consumerism reflects many negative human attributes and its increase is adversely affecting American culture, societal equalities, and the environment. Consumerism, in all its forms, has been around since the earliest times of American culture. From the earliest time of America, directly after the Revolutionary War, this attitude of need and want for material good and what was considered the best was very evident. One would think that during a life altering divide of nations the concept of consumerism would stop between them, but during this time, Americans still sought British goods. A high perceived value and thought pattern that these goods were of superior quality allowed these items to become a status symbol for early Americans. George Washington, weeks after signing a peace treaty with Britain, ordered a large...
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...110-046 9 November 2012 Excessive Consumerism Today Excessive consumerism is a growing problem in today's society. So many of our actions are driven by the desire to consume. Our whole lives revolve around getting the latest thing and working to no end to achieve it. Then, once we have the means of obtaining it, we spend even more time trying to decide which features we want or don't want. In this way, we find ourselves in a situation in which we serve the economy instead of it serving us. Colin Beavan and Robert Reich both offer their interpretation of the issue in relation to sustainability and freedom of choice, respectively. In No Impact Man, Beavan reveals the environmental issues associated with increased consumerism and attempts to find a way to counter the effects by discontinuing purchase of anything new. In Reich's "The Choice Fetish", he discusses how the sheer number of options available to us can limit our personal freedom because so much of our time is spent mulling over these insignificant choices. He uses the example of buying a computer, something many people do in their lifetime, and shows how incredibly overwhelming the process can be with all of the features to choose from in order to make the final product "personalized". In No Impact Man and "The Choice Fetish", Beavan and Reich show their readers the causes and effects of increased consumerism in a variety of areas. Because of these causes and their negative effects, Beavan and Reich suggest...
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...highlights materialist consumerism and the lack of morality in teenage behaviour. It enables us to closely examine society’s flaws as well as how these flaws influence teenagers to act in such shameful manner. Heckerling ridicules the concept of materialist consumerism by using black humour and satirically depicting characters such as Cher in a shallow light. This provokes the responder to criticise society’s obsession with materialism. Thus, the film exposes the negative impacts of fashion labels on teenagers’ views on status and self-image. Moreover, Heckerling criticises our disconnection from human values and represents this stereotypically continuously. Throughout the film, we are aware that it is what they own and how they wear that count, not who they are. This social commentary directs us to the superficiality and the absence of ethics of teenagers because of the materialism and consumerism they embrace. Society’s fascination with materialist consumerism drives individuals to self-indulge excessively. Heckerling ridicules the flamboyant lifestyle people seem to lead today and the heavy influence of commercialism. The issue is raised from the beginning of the film where we are introduced to Cher’s life through a series of montages and non-diegetic sound where we observe Cher talking about how their lives look like a ‘Noxema commercial’ but in reality is ‘way normal.’ This indicates the stereotypical teenage life in America and satirises the materialist consumerism of the ostentatious...
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...With modern consumerism on the rise, it is negatively affecting our children and their future. The negative effects of modern consumerism on children must be addressed before the damage is a permanent affliction of the American society. I. The effects of consumerism are beginning to mold our children and the American future society in negative ways. A. Sub point 1: In the current consumer society, "I am what I possess" is the average American’s outlook on their lives. 1. In today's society consumerism is viewed to be a negative portion of society and social behaviors. 2. Families have begun to stray from the meaningful and necessary time spent teaching and shaping their children to become productive adults. B. Sub point 2: Modern families need to focus on rearing their children to be a positive influence in society. 1. When a child is raised primarily by electronics they lose sight of their actual surroundings. 2. Common interaction with peers becomes limited. Parents need to focus the attention away from the television and put the efforts into their family values rather than the family car. II. Consumerism can actually have some positive effects on the American society. A. Sub point: The economy depends on society purchasing items. 1. Without the everlasting effects of supply and demand the employment status would decrease. 2. The increase in demand for consumer items also entices investors to provide money into an increased production therefore, consumption...
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...The article “Consumerism is creating cunning and callous kids’’ retrieved from Globe and mail was published on May 29, 2014. This article discussed the developing effect of consumerism on today’s children, and it impact the identify formation. Despite being raised by altruistic parents, these children end up being callous and mean and are lacking in empathy. Why are children turning this way? This change is the cause of poor parenting and materialism. The vast environment and the ecological system surrounding them influence today’s children. One particular development theory that identify with this issue is the ecological system theory by Bronfebrenner. Ecological systems theory on child development provides an analysis of how it identified five systems, which are microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chrono system all affect the development of the child (Shaffer, Kipp, Wood & Willoughby, 2013). Each of these systems contains specific roles that explain how child’s immediate environment to economic and political structures of the society shapes the course of childhood. Harried parenting of micro system to the role of media in advertising of exosystem influence can breed values that differ from their parents. The role of family is an essential component of healthy child development. The family values, socioeconomic status and religion prevailing within a culture, subculture or even neighborhoods can affect family interaction and development of the child (Shaffer...
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...In modern times, the term “consumerism” has been associated with a preoccupation with the acquisition of goods and commodities. Traditionally, it has been used with negative connotations – as a “problem” that indicates a lack of discretion among “buyers” and “consumers” regarding what goods to buy and why to buy them in an increasingly commercialized environment. Among Marxist thinkers especially, what happened has been linked to exploitation under industrial capitalism. Consumerism has been associated with the growth of industrial capitalism in Europe from the 18th century and its global spread thereafter – a development that was accompanied by economies of scale and increases in production and productivity. Such increases were sustained by growth in demand, both in the immediate neighbourhood of centres of production and further a-field. Improvements in technology and extensive use of the division of labour enabled manufacturers to produce on a large scale for “wants”, “needs” and “fashions”. Commercialisation of leisure and the penetration by innovative manufacturers, of religious practices, public health, and education reinforced the habits of acquisition and increasing “consumption”. In European society, in these circumstances, availability of goods ceased to be a substantial problem. Rather, more important were means to ensure that they were in demand and “consumed”. If this was not achieved, “gluts” and economic depressions would take place, affecting employer...
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...Consumerism: Its Huge Role in the Environment America is one of the most affluent nations in the world. Many Americans are able to live a life with such disposable luxury that they are often unaware of the impact of their choices. There is a constant bombardment of media images in daily life that manipulate people into believing that their desire for things is an actual need to have them thus creating a constant consumer. Consumerism is at an all time high and the rate at which such affluent nations consume is causing a dramatic change in the environment. After reading Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of Commerce it has become increasingly evident that as a nation there needs to be more awareness of how consumerism is rapidly changing how life is lived. In order to fully understand how consumerism impacts the environment there needs to be a careful understanding of what makes humans consume at such high rates, what role businesses play in catering to the wants and needs of consumers, and most importantly how the environment responds to all of these new demands. It is important to understand what consumerism is and how it affects life. The Oxford English Dictionary defines consumerism as, “the preoccupation of society with the acquisition of consumer goods”. In his book The Ecology of Commerce, Hawken states, ”every American consumes about 36 pounds of resources a week, while 2,000 pounds of waste are discarded to support that consumption”(45). It is highly unlikely that people are...
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...November 18, 2014 Consumerism: Gotta Buy ‘Em All It is the day after Thanksgiving, known colloquially to Americans as “Black Friday”. Hundreds of thousands of shoppers line up outside of department stores, anxiously waiting to get their hands on the latest of gadgets and gizmos to purchase for families, friends, and loved ones for the holiday season. Many of the retailers in America have offered attractive promotional sales on this day to attract high traffic and volume in their stores. Realizing this, consumers in America who take a part in Black Friday see this as a fight to the death. This “fight to the death” literally came true in the year 2013, as one death and fifteen injuries resulted from the madness of the shopping event, according to BlackFridayDeathCount.com. On the flip side for businesses, Americans spent an average of $407.02 from the Thursday through Sunday that bookends Black Friday, as stated by the National Retail Federation. This topsy-turvy day recognized by a vast majority of American culture has been seen by many as the yearly peak of the country’s ever-increasing trend towards consumerism. Consumerism, the belief that goods give meaning to individuals and their roles in society, has presented itself to Americans in both a positive and negative spirit. On the one hand, consumer spending drives the economy, gives consumers a vast myriad of retailers to choose from, and renders shopping as a social experience. On the other hand, consumerism can render...
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...has resulted in depletion of several valuable natural resources. Green consumerism refers to recycling, purchasing and using eco-friendly products that minimize damage to the environment. More and more businesses and industries are joining in the green movement, either out of a real interest in saving the planet or a desire to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for greener ways. For example, Wal-Mart anticipates savings to the tune of billions of dollars by reducing packaging across the supply chain and Wells Fargo issues carbon credits to offset its customers' credit card purchases. Very few consumers, who have realized the importance of going green, have been practicing it. For many, the perception about the idea is vague. Many organizations are actively trying to induce a paradigm shift in their green marketing strategies to enable them to reach the consumer. Has their attempt in this endeavour yielded results? The study is aimed at exploring the answers to these questions. Purpose and Scope of the Study This study is an attempt to understand the attitude consumers have towards green consumerism particularly with reference to their purchase and consumption patterns and give suitable suggestions based on the findings to enable them to be more environments’ friendly. This Study also is an attempt to explore the problems faced by consumers in adopting green consumerism and reach out to them for solution. This concept is gaining more importance day...
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...Environmental Effects of Consumerism December 18, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment Over consumption of tangible, non-essential products is part of what defines the developed world, with America and Western Europe taking the top prize for consumerism. Unfortunately the rest of the world, including more and more developing countries, isn’t far behind. Consumerism is defined as the need to purchase goods and services that reflect or improve one’s status. Even though it creates jobs and keeps the economy moving, consumerism is taking a toll on the environment. Natural resources are being depleted and the ecosystems are being compromised by disposable plastic products, bottles, and shopping bags. Many items, which were once thought of as luxury items have become necessities. Products are made, quickly become obsolete and are replaced. Items that are disposable, are made to be used only once, or just for fun, flood our markets. The cost of producing products, the raw materials needed and the energy consumed, is not taken into account when cost is measured. Reliance on automobiles, even in countries such as China, where not long ago bicycles outnumbered cars, has made an enormous impact on the environment in the form of pollution and the dependence on fossil fuels. Another negative impact from consumerism is the over consumption of meat, processed food, and fast, ready-made food. Raising livestock to meet the demands of the consumer impacts the water supply, and produces the destructive...
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