One of the ways Capitalism has been harmful is that it promotes an unhealthy materialism. (See paper on Materialism) Materialism creates a larger interest in material possesions and comfort than in spiritual values. This car commercial (above) exhibits how shallow Americans have become. 50 years ago, cars were a means of transportation not impressions. ... People do buy it because we are constantly bombarded with advertisements that promote materialism and material goods have now become a social stature. ... (For more information see Capitalism's Effects on the Environment) 1600 m...

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In "American Values and Assumptions", Gary Althen clarifies the American cultural values that intersect and how they work together. These values are perceived by Americans and sometimes are different with other cultures in the world. Generally, he gives evidences taking from American social notions such as the freedom, self-reliance to explain how strongly people devote to individualism. ... Moreover, there is a stable relationship between the change and progress, similarly to achievement, action and materialism. ... In the article, Althen gives an example of how American parents tea...

• Word Count: 576
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Money, in a capitalist American society is becoming a religion of its own, promoting disregard and misuse of the true religions. ... Many Americans are more concerned with how much money they are making rather than the morals and principals they use to gain that money. In one of the forums I have created to research this topic and views of fellow Americans, a question was asked - whether religion in America has fallen into the hands of Capitalism? ... But we, as Americans, put too much emphasis on material wealth," wrote Jason Chambers as a response to the posted question (Forum). ... Material...

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• Has Bibliography

This is a story of the Great Possibility, what America COULD be, and what it has lost by not working past its prejudices and fears. ... Because of the subordinate status Mexican American students received an inferior quality of education and subtractive curriculum . As a result even today there is a pattern disproportionate academic performance among Mexican American. ... Without placing blame or guilt; Takaki discusses, the Mexican American group whose role in history have deeply affected the American experience. ... One of the most popular of those finds a lot of inspiration in the so-cal...

• Word Count: 2799
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Careers based entirely on influencing an average American into swiping their credit cards. We pride ourselves on rational behavior and freedom of chasing the dream of american capitalism, yet we indulge in the idea that the more useless things we buy the happier we will be. ... I believe we must change our views on what it means to be truly happy and realize how materialism affects our future as a nation. ...

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With the discovery of America and the following expansion of economic markets, a new manufacturing class arises. ... Such materialism keeps them enslaved. ... In America capitalism was based on a laissez-faire economic system. ... These laws allowed the American working class to bridge the gap with the upper-class bourgeoisie running government. ... Afterall, the examples of 19th century Britain and America after the Great Depression prove Marx's idea had some influence on society. ...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Marx used Hegal's dialectic view on history, and Feuerbach's thoughts on the material order of the universe to produce his own concept of historical materialism. ... The bourgeoisie developed from the old feudal society with the increase of commerce, navigation, and industry that the discovery of America, and the industrial revolution caused. ...

• Word Count: 2202
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

One such plot of the book is the idea of the destruction of the modern day American male due to capitalist and consumerist thought and the vital role that woman have played. ... Throughout the novel, capitalism is condemned with special attention given to materialism of modern day society. ... The main character of the novel, the Narrator, an unnamed "thirty year old boy" who is employed in the recall division of the Federated Motor Corporation is the personification of the modern day American male raised in a capitalist society. ... For the strongest and most uninfluenced people, as Tyle...

• Word Count: 1809
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• Grade Level: High School

Gordon argues that crime is a rational response to the capitalist society which surrounds everyone, he pin points America for this to be particularly true, since he argues that society due to its very nature (as Marxist perceive it) is a "dog eat dog" society it can be seen as a rational response, he justifies this point by observing America's poor and the welfare system they have in place. The American welfare system is based on monetarist principles, which states that if welfare is to high it is in danger of becoming not a safety net, but a means of survival, which very well ma...

• Word Count: 1725
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Graduate

It was an American dream that attracted people to the United States--the chance of free enterprise, equal opportunity, and freedom to strive for every accomplishment. ... It became known as "The Gilded Age" when most of the American minorities and impoverished were ruled by capitalist pigs that exploited most of the working-class to later justify their actions through Social Darwinism or the major influence they had on the economy. Although the United States is perceived as the home of free enterprise, prosperity and equal opportunity, American fiction following 1865, such as Upton Sinclair&#x...

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• Has Bibliography

He believed in methodological materialism, which means that material reality is the basis of society, economy, and politics. ... For example, a Caucasian and a Latino field worker would be considered in the same class but being Caucasian gives one a higher status in America than a person of color. ...

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It embodies and encourages an "I-it" culture of impersonal materialism that obstructs the path to peace by devaluating human life. ... When confronted about this scheme, Milo rationalizes that he didn't directly kill them, simply because the Germans and the Americans were going to kill each other anyways, and everyone had a share in the event. ... Heller likewise pokes fun at the gullibility and shallowness of American society, revealing that "the sweetest part of the whole deal was that there was no need to reimburse the government at all" (259), showing that society...

• Word Count: 2037
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate