Abstract The following assignment is for a second year business and society course. The topic of this paper is the effect of advertising on consumerism. Using an article from Heath, it is argued that advertising and consumerism are not closely related. The writer maintains that increased consumerism is the result of competition and not advertising. The writer concludes that the other argument is wrong. "
From the Paper "Consumerism has been a topic of interest for a number of years. Many researchers believe that consumerism is a negative thing. These critics usually link the rise of consumerism to advertising. However, there are some critics that argue that consumerism and advertising have little to do with each other. In 'The Efficient Society' Joseph Heath's theory is that consumerism and advertising are not intimately connected. In fact, Heath's argument suggests that competition and social status are the driving force behind the increase in consumerism. For example, Heath states, 'Thus comparative consumption can easily become competitive consumption'."
Abstract This paper discusses the role of consumerism in society. The paper attempts to address several issues regarding the prevalence of consumer culture, advertising, and marketing in media. It looks at the spread of consumerism and the growth of a consumption society.
From the Paper "Consumerism sets each person against themselves in an endless quest for happiness made possible only by acquiring more things. Consumerism is manifested in a never-ending cycle of purchasing of new goods and services. Consumers are programmed to pay little attention to their true needs or to the durability of the product or its origin or the environmental consequences of manufacture and disposal. Consumerism is driven by huge amounts of money spent on advertising intended to spur demand..."
Abstract This essay discusses the role and limitations of consumerism in modern society. The paper suggests that as the advertising industry becomes an omnipotent shaper of social reality, it will become a hardier beast as we move towards unfettered capitalism with globalization targeting the least-educated peoples during an era where the richest country on earth carries on with the ethical airs.
Abstract This paper examines how many feel that consumerism is a pattern of behavior that may be destroying our environment, financial health, and our self-esteem. It attempts to answer the question of whether we should be buying more or less and whether we shop because that is what humans were meant to do, even though manufacturers, retailers, and advertisers feel we as a nation should buy more. It details the opinions of three authors, Michael Schudson, Elayne Rapping, and Juliet B. Shors, in regard to these questions. It shows how each of these authors has an opinion or view about the topic of consumerism and how, within their essays, they point out both the good and the bad and how they feel we, as a society, should consider consumerism.
From the Paper "As our society puts in more hours at work and has less of a home life, one must consider the questions of why we humans sacrifice so much for something that is actually not enjoyable and are we over shopping? As the Christmas trees yearn for newly wrapped presents throughout America, we should all wonder do we really need all of that new stuff? Harvard economics professor Juliet B. Schor thinks not. In her opinion, we Americans have been and will continue to be tricked into thinking that we as a nation need more of everything. The car has a few too many miles on it, well, we need a new one. If Schor is right, who created this consumerist need for more goods and services in us? Consumerism, based on Schors? thinking, has been created by the capitalists who need to manufacturer goods and services. Once made, those items need to be sold."
Abstract In "1984" George Orwell foresaw political domination and exploitation following government control of the media. In fact corporate control of the media has promoted consumerism and globalization and it is transnational corporations that have come to dominate the world.
Abstract This paper analyses the moral values (or lack thereof) of consumerism and discusses its impact on personal and social relationships as well as issues of identity in Caryl Churchill's "Serious Money" and Mark Ravenhill's "Shopping and Fucking". It provides an analysis of both plays and makes extensive references to contemporary cultural theory such as those of Jean Baudrillard. It looks at how "Serious Money" is a portrayal of the hedonistic greed of the 1980s and how "Shopping and Fucking" could easily be described as the nasty "morning after" during the 1990s.
From the Paper "The world of stock market trading in Caryl Churchill's 1987 play Serious Money is presented as a microcosm where money and the desire to make profit take absolute priority over any other social and moral values. Friendship, loyalty and even family relationships are affected by market movements and if deemed unprofitable, quickly discarded. Compared to money, "matters of life and death c[o]me a poor second" , as illustrated by the reactions of Jake's colleagues to his death, which can be summed up as "The deal is the priority" . Even his sister Scilla who suspects Jake was murdered and starts investigating his death is motivated by greed ("Would either of them be likely to kill Jake" Or more important still could they tell me about his bank account? Which bank is it in? / And what's the total amount?? )"
Abstract This paper describes the American consumer culture by examining three books. The author points out the need for market strategies directed at consumerism. The paper explores the concept of luxury seekers.
From the Paper "Over the past years, American society has become a mass consumer culture. Americans are aware of how every dollar is spent and certainly willing and ready to spend them. Because of this, pointed marketing strategies have become increasingly necessary. Fortunately, there are resources that have the examination of consumerism down to a science. Twitchell's "Living it Up" and Silverstein's "Trading Up" explore a particular facet of this consumer culture. That is the notion that what is luxurious today is standard tomorrow. Silverstein defines the ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the popular issue of "consumerism". A brief review of mass media indicates that this issue is usually discussed in either economic or environmental terms (i.e., the role of the consumer in supporting or not supporting continued economic growth; consumption in terms of its contribution to pollution via landfills, air pollution etc.). This essay argues that these perspectives are flawed in that they are addressing the effects of consumption rather than the phenomenon itself.
Abstract In a discussion on the role and limitations of consumerism, the author of this paper argues that we need to be smart (and strong) enough to know when to say no, while teaching the same to our children and more impressionable members of society. Only by assessing the root of the urge to consume can we free ourselves, thereby worrying less about surface matters. By advocating education and rational analysis of the advertised products now before us, perhaps a less greedy and more humane society will emerge.
From the Paper "To say advertising is everywhere is to say something all consumers can agree on. Sports events, movies, even the God-given right of ad-free cable television has been trampled over. So if you cannot escape spots pushing shakes that will make you slimmer and sugar-based cereals that will make your kids fatter, the appropriate (and most realistic) role of the consumer is being true to one's self by supporting companies for human and environmental standards as much as quality control."
Abstract This paper explains the conflicting theories that money can't buy happiness and yet the importance placed on material goods and the gratification from them as a source of happiness. The author points out that, within modern culture, consumerism has become a sort of micro-culture of its own with a set of beliefs and values and a way of life, which places the obtaining of material possessions and the actual process of obtaining them as the top priority. The paper states that people must not become materialistic buying machines but rather enhance their lives through the joys of human interactions.
From the Paper "There is a great deal that can be said about happiness as an element of pop culture as it relates to consumerism. Within the complex, dollar-driven world of modern America, happiness is often measured by the size of the vehicle in one's driveway, or the memory that their I-Pod contains. Happiness is a commodity that seems to be able to be bought as an accessory with every item that is piled into the home or locked away in the personal storage lockers of people from coast to coast. The instant gratification that comes with material possessions..."
Abstract The paper argues that consumerism has a bad overall effect on our lives because of the divisions it has created in our society and the control that corporations have gained over people's buying habits. The paper further reveals that many people who focus on material goods to bring them happiness actually end up being more unhappy in the long run.
From the Paper "When a capitalist society reaches the point where most of the people are able to easily fulfill their basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing, the people can begin focusing on buying consumer goods for recreation, leisure, or simply the enjoyment of owning a certain item. Such a time is accompanied by overall good feelings, as people don't have to stretch themselves so much simply to make ends meet, and they can focus on getting what they want, instead of what they need. Many people falsely attribute the cause of these good feelings to their purchase of consumer goods when, usually, the cause lies elsewhere. So, while some may say that consumerism can have a positive effect on people, consumerism has a bad overall effect on our lives because of the divisions it has created in our society and the control that corporations have gained over people's buying habits."
Abstract This paper reviews the novel "White Noise" by Don Delillo, the story of Jack Gladney and his family who are located somewhere in middle America and are victims as well as willing participants in American society's love affair with consumerism. It examines how DeLillo creates exaggerated characters and stereotypes that surround Jack to emphasize his main message with regard to the reality of death and how "White Noise" is laced with the themes of consumerism within the scope of denying death. It shows how DeLillo is extremely clear in his point that consumerism is a huge part of our popular culture and perhaps the main avenue people choose to travel upon as they avoid death and deathly discussion. This point is made to underscore the idea that life is full of moments and situations that are out of your control. The biggest of those moments is death and the final reality of its equalizing affect on society.
From the Paper "Jack's visit from his father in law, Vernon Dickey, is notable for two reasons. One being the gun Vernon gives to Jack that will be discussed later and the other is Vernon's speech to his daughter and Jack upon his departure. Vernon lists off his ailments, bad habits, and poor judgments and tells the younger couple not to be worried. He doesn?t want them to worry about his failing eyesight, his smoking habit, his limp or his experiences with women. Vernon tells them not to worry about the mind, because the mind goes way before the body."
This paper presents an argument against historian, T.H. Breen, in his "Marketplace of Revolution", who contends that consumerism was the motivation and ideology of the American revolutionaries.
Abstract This paper explains that T.H. Breen, in his "Marketplace of Revolution", argues that participation in American consumer life helped colonists to demand an increase in liberty from their colonial ruler, provided them with a means for communicating their grievances and through their shared consumer experience gave them a means for creating a common sense of national identity from which to wage a successful resistance against England. The author points out that, the most glaring flaw in Breen's analysis is his failure to address the primary competing theory of the American consumerism, that the consumerism described by Breen reached only the upper and upper-middle classes of colonial America and not had very limited impacted on the massive lower classes of colonial America. The paper contends that debt, as the unintended consequence of such consumerism, offers up a motivating force for a greater number of Americans especially under the extensive system of debt and credit of British colonial rule.
From the Paper "Bushman's argument counters Breen's plea for an America unified through consumerism enough to place substantial doubt in his entire thesis. Providing little defense against Bushman's general argument about consumerism and gentility in pre-revolutionary America, a conscientious reader of "Marketplace of Revolution" would have difficulty accepting Breen's justification for the ability of this seemingly disparate and sectionalist group of colonies to coordinate a massive movement for its independence. But the core of his argument remains compelling and provocative, that this rapid and massive expansion of the markets of colonial America had a profound and palpable impact on the American people and aided the development of a successful resistance movement against their colonial oppressors. Consumerism was certainly at the roots of this source of national unity and community, one of its consequences might be more deserving of credit."
This paper reviews Grant McCracken's "Culture and Consumption II: Markets, Meaning and Management", especially his analysis of consumerism and meaning.
Abstract This paper explains the key point that Grant McCracken makes in his book "Culture and Consumption" is that consumerism is a way of creating meaning. The author praises McCracken for pointing out the important role that consumerism can play in creating meaning, to the point of even helping people to define who they are. The paper concludes that this book is very unusual because (1) it has an unusual layout and "architecture", which renders it more accessible, (2) it tackles head-on the ubiquitous intellectual snobbery that belittles consumerism and consumers and (3) it opens up new ways to look at history and contemporary culture, which enables the reader to see meanings that were otherwise invisible. The paper includes some long quotations.
From the Paper "Later, taking an entirely different but certainly related tack, McCracken comments on the concept of meaning-creation within the context of advertising - or more specifically, celebrity endorsement. He notes that there are two accepted, related and oft-used explanatory models for the success of celebrity endorsement in promoting products. One is that of source-credibility, and the other is that of source-attractiveness. As an example, we would believe Tiger Woods if he endorsed a certain brand of golf clubs, as we believe he knows what he is talking about - he has source-credibility."
Abstract The paper examines the works of Maurice Meisner and Minxin Pei concerning the high social, political and economic price of China's approach to development. The paper then explains the phenomenon of Chinese consumerism that exists while millions struggle to obtain basic subsistence. The paper portrays the disparity in the American-style high consuming class and the working or unemployed poor.
Outline:
Introduction
Consumerism - Chinese Style
Disparities and Frustrations
Time and Unfulfilled Promises
Consumerism and Culture
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper "Meisner noted a small percentage of urban population are members of the nouveaux riches that support "the world's most rapidly growing market in luxury goods." (1999 534) Otherwise there is much conspicuous lesser spending. A report for business people planning to do retail business in the PRC in 2005 with China's permission of foreign distributors with World Trade Organisation membership stated that the Chinese consumer still shops daily, likes processed and packaged foods, expects shopping to be an outdoor, urban activity and favours products to do with sport, leisure and general convenience. (Iyengar 2004) Car ownership is proportionately low and the distances great so that distributors have to work hard, if promoting a new product in China, to see that it reaches every targeted region. Mail order business is unknown and Internet shopping just beginning. The leisure culture taking form in the 1990s showed little sign of declining. Consumers were less automatically taken by foreign manufactures but wanted goods that made their lives more convenient. A Euromonitor International article referred to a positive attitude in the PCR towards owning one's housing, letting housing out to others, high demand for household durables and leisure goods that allowed for a busier lifestyle. (2006)"
