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Consumerism

            Webster's dictionary defines consumerism as "the economic theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is beneficial." That is essentially the basis of what consumerism was in its early days. The problem with that definition is that the people who practice consumerism today hardly concern themselves with the economical (or ecology, for that matter) implications of their habits. I would argue that the vast majority isn't even aware of the term or the lifestyle's negative affects. Today it has more to do with materialism and over-consumption. Consumerism today can be more accurately defined as an epidemic in which people feel the need to purchase more and more material goods, in an attempt to reach a state of happiness and completeness. Instead, the buying habits they practice become perpetual and routine, and they constantly want more material objects. This lifestyle has proven wasteful of our planets resources and destructive to our ecosystem.
             In the late 1940s, Americans" spirits were high. We had pulled ourselves out of the Great Depression and the allies had just won World War II. The troops came back home and an incredible amount of them immediately started families. Suburban neighborhoods sprung up virtually everywhere for working class American families to live comfortable lives. The invention of the television was a breakthrough for the advertising medium. This visual stimulation had never before played such a large part in an advertisement's persuasion. .
             Through the 1950s, Americans were increasingly seeking a comfortable contention. Businesses beckoned consumers with flashy neon signs. Fast food restaurants and TV dinners made life more convenient. Automobiles were now available in a rainbow of colors. The average family was able to live a more "extravagant" life.
             A liberal movement in the late 1960s denounced the consumer culture of the United States and preached simple lifestyles.


Essays Related to Consumerism

1. Our Consumer Society

The rise of the consumer culture is a phenomenon characterizing the 20th and 21st centuries, where the economy depends on the population's spending on goods and services. ... There is a psychological impact of consumerism that promotes destructive values. ... Increased consumerism evidently comes at a steep price: in pursuit of acquiring a higher social position in such a way, consumers might not have the necessary financial support and go into debt, which can potentially lead to serious consequences. ... Consumerism encourages a highly wasteful behavior, eventually leading to a lock ...

  • Word Count: 653
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Graduate

2. Consumer Product Safety Commission

BACKGROUND The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent federal agency established in 1972 by Congress under the Consumer Product Safety Act. ... (Certain other consumer products are covered by other federal agencies. ... (Consumer Reporting) Since the CPSC has been established for consumer protection, consumers should take an active role in supporting that mission. ... It's important for the consumer to establish a line of communication with the company in order to determine will tell the consumer whom they need to contact to get the situation remedied...

  • Word Count: 1759
  • Approx Pages: 7

3. America and Mass Consumerism

At the heart of all these problems is mass consumerism.  ... The standard of living of the time was simply too low for mass consumerism to thrive. ... Instead for trying to sell automobiles by telling the consumer that they needed to buy the product, Bernays bred a new idea in which you would sell automobiles by telling the consumer that if they bought the product, they would feel happier. Thus mass consumerism, as we know it today, was born.  ... Bernays led advertisers to begin to put their efforts into trying to change the way the consumer thought of their product. ...

  • Word Count: 2068
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography

4. Advertising and Consumerism

Effective advertising can lead consumers to believe they understand what the good life is and how they can achieve it. ... Consumerism, therefore, is perceived as the definition of progress. ... Here comes the consumer market, serving as playground for these needs and wants to be satisfied. ... Past consumers, and consumers today, are purchasing subjective effects rather than a mere product. ... Essentially, this means when a consumer is asked about an industry or specific type of product, the importance is placed in how quickly a consumer can identity a specific brand. ...

  • Word Count: 1787
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. Consumer Rights

Consumer Rights Businesses have never denied the fact that consumers have rights. ... After all, people do have the right to consumer education (Antony 115). ... However, there are also laws protecting consumers, "[w] hen [consumers] borrow money from a bank or deposit [their] money in a bank account, federal laws say [consumers] have a right to clear information on all terms and conditions. ... However, many consumers think they have rights they do not really have. ... However, some organizations make attempts at cheating consumers. ...

  • Word Count: 1505
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography

6. Samsung Brand Audit

This audit provides us with a snapshot brand picture of Samsung mobile and how consumers conceptualise it to be. ... The research undertaken revealed different results for sub-components of Consumer based brand equity for the Brand; Samsung Mobile. ... A brand audit needs to be conducted with both the perspectives of the consumer, as well as how these products are being marketed and branded. ... Lassar, W., et.al., (1995) also indicated the result is consumer loyalty and a willingness to pay a premium price for the brand. ... Therefore the threshold of development of technology ought to...

  • Word Count: 2958
  • Approx Pages: 12
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Consumerism

Good Morning Mrs Parkinson and fellow students today I will try to better your knowledge of consumerism. First of all, what is Consumerism? ... "Enter So Much as Knocking" is a poem that both criticises and cautions readers to the nature of consumerism and the effects of a consumer society. ... In the cartoon the baby is brought up in a consumer culture from a very young age. The article "A wacko spend by Jacko" from the Sunday Metro, London relates to consumerism. ...

  • Word Count: 491
  • Approx Pages: 2

8. Consumerism

CONSUMERISM Consumerism is the desire to acquire objects and possessions often beyond our essential needs, just for the sake of acquiring them. ... This shows their life is uneventful and controlled by consumer products. ... The two reconcile their love again through a consumer product. ... The consumer belongings "crammed" into a carton symbolises the consumer products being forced onto the public. ... Finally the Bebe add suggests a positive attitude towards consumerism. ...

  • Word Count: 1435
  • Approx Pages: 6

9. Consumerism

The Myth of Consumerism Every society has mythology. ... Our religion is consumerism. ... Now consumerism fulfills this role. ... This is the consumer ideology and, just like every religion has some "golden rule" that pervades all of its lessons, consumerism too has its own golden rule, the consumer ideology. ... This sort of idoltry is exactly what consumerism offers. ...

  • Word Count: 1778
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

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