Consumerism is the belief that it is good for people to spend a lot of money on goods and services. Consumerism encourages people to acquire goods in greater and greater amounts. It promotes spending money and in theory is suppose to be economically desirable (Stearns, 2011). The spread of consumerism socially and geographically is one of the most significant and important developments in world history over the past two or three centuries (Stearns, 2011).
Consumerism was a result of industrialization. Living standard rose as people made more money and they were encouraged to buy new goods. In Western society people went crazy for buying new non-essential goods, especially textiles (fabric) and jewelry. Household item also became popular such as tableware and furniture.
Keeping up with the latest clothing fashions was hard and massive markets for second-hand clothing and goods were developed for people who had consumerist urges but not quite enough money to be able to buy everything they wanted. The fascination with non-essential, luxury items, like nice furniture, nice clothes, and jewelry was part of the economic prosperity, as well as a shift away from traditional values. However, there were some limitations set by religious sumptuary laws (Staerns, 2011). Sumptuary is limiting expenditures in the interest of government (Oxford, 1996). For example in China some people were actually put to death for their consumerist spending (Stearns, 2011).
Consumerism also has a second meaning. Consumerism is the protection of consumers interest in relation to the producer (Reader's Digest, 1996). Consumerism gives power to the consumer. It has influence over the manufacturing and sales of a product. Consumers can pressure companies into producing a higher quality product and make sure that product is ethically made, well-priced and safe (Stearns, 2011).
Unfortunately there is still a need for legislation to back up the rights of consumers to demand for a product to be of good quality.