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118 Consumerism Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Consumerism is a pervasive force that shapes our society and influences our behavior as individuals. It revolves around the idea of acquiring and consuming goods and services in large quantities, often driven by the desire for status, identity, and satisfaction. With its profound impact on our lives, consumerism has become a popular subject of discussion and analysis. If you are tasked with writing an essay on consumerism, here are 118 topic ideas and examples to inspire and guide your writing process:

• The rise of consumerism in modern society.
• The history and evolution of consumerism.
• The impact of consumerism on the environment.
• Consumerism and its relationship with capitalism.
• The role of advertising in promoting consumerism.
• The psychological aspects of consumerism.
• The influence of social media on consumerism.
• The connection between consumerism and materialism.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal relationships.
• The effects of consumerism on mental health.
• Consumerism and its impact on children.
• The role of consumerism in shaping identity.
• Consumerism and its impact on cultural values.
• The influence of consumerism on fashion trends.
• Consumerism and its impact on the global economy.
• The ethics of consumerism.
• Consumerism and its impact on education.
• The relationship between consumerism and happiness.
• Consumerism and its impact on social inequality.
• The influence of consumerism on food choices.
• Consumerism and the rise of fast fashion.
• The impact of consumerism on waste generation and disposal.
• The role of consumerism in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Consumerism and the rise of online shopping.
• The connection between consumerism and debt.
• The impact of consumerism on local businesses.
• Consumerism and its impact on the labor market.
• The role of planned obsolescence in consumerism.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal freedom.
• The influence of consumerism on leisure activities.
• Consumerism and its impact on body image.
• The role of consumerism in the entertainment industry.
• The impact of consumerism on urban development.
• Consumerism and its impact on sustainable living.
• The influence of consumerism on travel and tourism.
• Consumerism and its impact on healthcare.
• The role of consumerism in the automotive industry.
• The impact of consumerism on cultural heritage.
• Consumerism and its impact on social activism.
• The influence of consumerism on technology adoption.
• Consumerism and its impact on privacy.
• The role of consumerism in the beauty industry.
• The impact of consumerism on personal values.
• Consumerism and its impact on globalization.
• The connection between consumerism and overconsumption.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal finance.
• The influence of consumerism on housing choices.
• Consumerism and its impact on mental well-being.
• The role of consumerism in shaping political ideologies.
• The impact of consumerism on the fashion industry.
• Consumerism and its influence on body modification.
• The relationship between consumerism and social status.
• Consumerism and its impact on social media influencers.
• The influence of consumerism on cultural appropriation.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal values and beliefs.
• The role of consumerism in the gaming industry.
• The impact of consumerism on the music industry.
• Consumerism and its influence on artistic expression.
• The connection between consumerism and addiction.
• Consumerism and its impact on privacy in the digital age.
• The influence of consumerism on personal happiness.
• Consumerism and its impact on food waste.
• The role of consumerism in shaping political campaigns.
• The impact of consumerism on public health.
• Consumerism and its influence on decision-making.
• The connection between fashion trends and consumerism.
• Consumerism and its impact on social media platforms.
• The influence of consumerism on holiday traditions.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal well-being.
• The role of consumerism in the film industry.
• The impact of consumerism on the music streaming industry.
• Consumerism and its influence on cultural assimilation.
• The connection between consumerism and social conformity.
• Consumerism and its impact on the fast food industry.
• The influence of consumerism on dietary choices.
• Consumerism and its impact on the video game industry.
• The role of consumerism in shaping gender roles.
• The impact of consumerism on personal relationships with nature.
• Consumerism and its influence on cultural appropriation in fashion.
• The connection between consumerism and advertising ethics.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The influence of consumerism on social media addiction.
• Consumerism and its impact on mental health during economic downturns.
• The role of consumerism in shaping beauty standards.
• The impact of consumerism on personal debt during economic crises.
• Consumerism and its influence on personal values during times of uncertainty.
• The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during political campaigns.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal values during times of social unrest.
• The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during natural disasters.
• Consumerism and its role in shaping personal values in multicultural societies.
• The impact of consumerism on personal debt during college education.
• Consumerism and its influence on personal well-being during retirement.
• The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during environmental activism.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal values during technological advancements.
• The role of consumerism in shaping dietary choices during health crises.
• The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during political campaigns.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during holiday seasons.
• The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during mental health awareness campaigns.
• Consumerism and its influence on personal values during cultural festivals.
• The impact of consumerism on personal well-being during job insecurity.
• Consumerism and its role in shaping beauty standards during body positivity movements.
• The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during social isolation.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during housing market fluctuations.
• The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during charity campaigns.
• Consumerism and its influence on personal values during technological dependency.
• The role of consumerism in shaping dietary choices during food scarcity.
• The impact of consumerism on personal well-being during natural resource depletion.
• Consumerism and its influence on personal values during political polarization.
• The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during wellness trends.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during economic recessions.
• The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during social media comparison.
• Consumerism and its role in shaping beauty standards during aging populations.
• The impact of consumerism on personal values during technological privacy concerns.
• The connection between consumerism and social media influencers during educational campaigns.
• Consumerism and its influence on personal well-being during healthcare disparities.
• The role of consumerism in shaping dietary choices during climate change.
• The influence of consumerism on personal well-being during social inequality.
• Consumerism and its impact on personal debt during global economic crises.

These essay topics provide a wide range of perspectives on consumerism, allowing you to choose an area that aligns with your interests or concerns. Remember to conduct thorough research, provide evidence-based arguments, and present a well-structured essay to effectively convey your ideas. Good luck!

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Fascinating Topics To Write About Consumerism

• Andy Warhol’s View of American Consumerism
• The Profitability of Consumerism and Gender Roles
• Buddhism, Consumerism, War, and Environmental Crisis
• Fast Consumerism Aiding Type II Diabetes Development
• American Consumerism and the Environmental Situation in the United States
• Clustering Boycotting Consumers: New Insights into the Relationship Between Institutional Trust and Political Consumerism
• Evidence from Swedish Central Government Agencies on Consumerism and Control
• Managerialism, Consumerism, and Public Sector Performance Measurement in the United States
• Blind Consumerism and the Basic Consumer Characteristics
• Consumerism, Competition, and the Other Investigating Economic Competition Ethics
• Universities Are Being Taken Over By Consumerism
• Children’s Consumption, Television, and the Internet
• Consumerism, Industrialization, and Social Change in 18th-Century Britain
• Advertising and Brand Names in Consumerism
• Consumerism in Health Care: A New Marketing Trend
• A Strategic Behavioral Model for Green Consumerism and Ecolabelling
• Consumerism and the Free Market
• Consumerism and Christianity in Comparison
• Effects of Capitalism and Consumerism on Social Class Division
• Negative Effects of Consumerism on All Aspects of Society

Research Topics About Consumerism

• Discussing How the Western World Transformed Societies Fueled a Zombies of Culture Consumerism
• Consumerism in the 1920’s Society and the New Culture
• Disposable Society: A Combination of Capitalism and Consumerism?
• What Susan Sontag Teaches Us About the Social Web and Visual Culture Through Aesthetic Consumerism and the Violence of Photography
• Advertising and Consumerism in the Twenty-First Century
• Can Green Consumption Take the Place of Environmental Regulation?
• Analyzing the Effects of Consumerism on Native Americans
• Consumerism and Changing Societal Demands
• Lures of Dolls and Consumerism
• Global Consumerism Role in the Loss of Cultural Diversity
• Consumerism and the Internet’s Impact
• Corporate Hegemony, Consumerism, and Corruption
• Explaining Consumerism Using Zygmunt Bauman’s Ideas
• Polish Seniors’ Environmental Awareness, Green Consumerism, and Environmentally Conscious Consumer Behavior
• Consumerism and Its Impact on Society
• Harry Potter and Azkaban’s Consumerism
• American Consumerism and Its Evolution Since World War I
• Advertising Encourages Excessive Consumption
• Trends in the Nineteenth Century, Consumerism, and Women’s Fashions
• Consumerism: Brand and Consumption Mindset

Questions About Consumerism

• What Impact Does Consumerism Have on Outsourcing?
• How Do Citizenship Standards Distinguish Boycotting From Buycotting?
• What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Consumerism?
• What Impact Does Consumerism Have on the Meaning of American Freedom?
• What Are the Major Consumer Forces Today?
• How Has Consumerism Affected the City of London?
• What Factors Influence Consumerism?
• How Has Consumerism Affected America’s Children?
• Are There Any Advantages to Consumerism?
• What Impact Did Consumerism Have on the United States of America?
• What is the Role of Product Labels in Consumerism (Like Food or Clothing Brands)?
• How Did Pop Art Challenge Consumerism Beliefs?
• Do You Believe Holidays such as Christmas and Easter Have Become Overly Commercialized?
• How Did the 1960s Fashion Industry Reflect the Changing Position of Consumerism and Youth Culture?
• Is It Possible to Escape the Consumerist Culture?
• What Impact Does Consumerism Have on Religion and Spirituality?
• Do You Believe that Women Consume More than Men? Why?
• How Do Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons’ Works Relate to Consumerism?
• Are Teenagers and Children Becoming More Consumerist?
• What Impact Has Globalization and Consumerism Had on Society and Consumer Ethical Values?
• Do The Media and Society influence Teenage Consumerism?
• What Impact Has Graphic Design Had on Pop Culture and Consumerism?
• Are Consumerists, in Your Opinion, Less Creative?
• How Did Psychoanalysis Influence Consumerism and Public Relations?
• What Exactly Is Ethical Consumerism?
• What Impact Has the Internet Had on Consumerism?
• Is Consumerism a Disease?
• What Impact Does Consumerism Have on the Environment and Nature?
• Which Jobs Are Inextricably Linked to Consumerism?

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Essay About Consumerism: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Consumerism is the child of capitalism; Here is a list of essay about consumerism examples and prompts you can read to further your understanding.

The word consumerism can seem daunting to some, but it’s pretty simple. It is defined as “a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods.” In the consumerist theory, people’s spending on goods and services drives economic growth- their spending preferences and habits determine the direction a company will go next.

Many businesses practice consumerism. It is a common belief that you must adopt a consumerist approach to succeed in your trade. Consumerism refers to people’s prioritization of spending on goods and services. They have the drive to purchase more items continuously.

If you are writing an essay about consumerism, you can get started by reading these essay examples.

1. What You Need To Know About Consumerism by Mark Scott

2. long essay on consumerism by prasanna, 3. consumerism: want and new pair shoes by tony richardson, 4. my thoughts on being a blogger & consumerism by anna newton, 5. consumerism and its discontents by tori deagelis, 1. does consumerism affect your decisions , 2. opposing consumerism, 3. how does consumerism negatively affect mental health, 4. how does consumerism positively affect mental health, 5. do you agree with consumerism.

“Although consumerism drives economic growth and boosts innovation, it comes with a fair share of problems ranging from environmental and moral degradation to higher debt levels and mental health problems..”

Scott gives readers an overview of consumerism in economic and social terms. He then briefly discusses consumerism’s history, benefits, and disadvantages driving economic growth and innovation. It also raises debt, harms the environment, and shifts society’s values toward worldly possessions rather than other people. Scott believes it is perhaps most healthy to find a balance between love for others and material things. 

“Consumerism helps the consumers to seek redressal for their grievances against the unfair policies of the companies. It teaches the consumers about their rights and duties and helps them get better quality of products and services.”

In this essay, author Prasanna writes about the history of consumerism and its applications in India. First, it helps protect consumers from companies’ “unethical marketing practices.” For example, she cites policies put in place by the government to inspect food items, ensuring they are of good quality and prepared per sanitation standards. When used appropriately, consumerism serves the benefit of all. 

“Anything people see they buy without thinking twice and knowing that they already have brand new pair shoes they have not worn because there to focused on buying and buying till they see they no longer have space in their closet to put new shoes in.”

Richardson takes a personal approach to consumerism, recalling several of his friends’ hobbies of collecting expensive shoes. Advertisements and the pressure to conform play a big role in their consumerism, enticing them to buy more and more items. Richardson believes that consumerism blinds people to the fact that their standards and desires just keep increasing and that they buy shoes for unjustified reasons. Instead, society should be more responsible and remind itself that it needs to take importance above all.

“Take online creators out of the way for a minute, because the pressure to buy is everywhere and has been since the dawn of the dime. The floorplan of stores are set out in a way that makes you stomp around the whole thing and ultimately purchase more, ads on the TV, radio, billboards, in magazines discounts and promotions – it’s endless..”

In her blog The Anna Edit , Newton explains the relationship between blogging and consumerism. Bloggers and influencers may need to purchase more things, not only for self-enjoyment but to produce new content. However, she feels this lifestyle is unsustainable and needs to be moderated. Her attitude is to balance success with her stability and well-being by limiting the number of things she buys and putting less value on material possessions. 

“In a 2002 paper in the Journal of Consumer Research (Vol. 29, No. 3), the team first gauged people’s levels of stress, materialistic values and prosocial values in the domains of family, religion and community–in keeping with the theory of psychologist Shalom Schwartz, PhD, that some values unavoidably conflict with one another. ”

DeAngelis first states that it is widely believed that more desire for material wealth likely leads to more discontent: it prioritizes material things over quality time, self-reflection, and relationships. Increasing one’s wealth can help solve this problem, but it is only a short-term fix. However, a 2002 study revealed that the life satisfaction of more materialistic and less materialistic people is not different. 

Prompts on Essay about Consumerism

This is not something people think about daily, but it impacts many of us. In this essay, write about how you are influenced by the pressure to buy items you don’t need. Discuss advertising and whether you feel influenced to purchase more from a convincing advertisement. Use statistics and interview data to support your opinions for an engaging argumentative essay.

Consumerism has been criticized by economists , academics , and environmental advocates alike. First, research the disadvantages of consumerism and write your essay about why there has been a recent surge of its critics. Then, conduct a critical analysis of the data in your research, and create a compelling analytical essay.

Consumerism is believed to impact mental health negatively. Research these effects and write about how consumerism affects a person’s mental health. Be sure to support your ideas with ample evidence, including interviews, research data such as statistics, and scientific research papers.

Consumerism often gets a bad reputation. For an interesting argumentative essay, take the opposite stance and argue how consumerism can positively impact mental health. Take a look at the arguments from both sides and research the potential positive effects of consumerism. Perhaps you can look into endorphins from purchases, happiness in owning items, or even the rush of owning a unique item. 

In this essay, take your stance. Choose a side of the argument – does consumerism help or hinder human life? Use research to support both sides of the argument and pitch your stance. You can argue your case through key research and create an exciting argumentative essay.

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Consumerism Essay Topics & Ideas

• Informative Essay Topics About Consumerism
• Consumerism Essay Topics for College Students

Consumerism Essay Topics for High School Students

✒️ informative essay topics about consumerism.

• “Black Friday: Consumerism Minus Civilization” by Leonard
• 1950’s Consumerism and Car Culture
• A Review of Consumerism in Fight Club, a Film by David Flincher
• A Study on How Consumerism Has Affected Families in America and China
• A way to increase awareness of excessive consumerism
• America in the Post War Period: Consumerism
• American Youth: Consumerism and Consumption Issues Research
• Analysis of My Purchases from a Consumerism Perspective
• Analysis Of Todays Consumerism Anthropology
• Can Green Consumerism be anything more than a Band-aid Solution?
• China Society and Consumerism
• China Society Consumerism in the Past Century
• Consumer Promotions Defined and Consumerism
• Consumerism ; marketing
• Consumerism & Commercialism in the 20th-Century US
• Consumerism and American Popular Culture Research
• Consumerism And Consumer Awareness
• Consumerism and Consumer Protection
• Consumerism and Economic Crisis
• Consumerism and Happiness Term
• Consumerism and the American Culture Research
• Consumerism and the media

✍ Consumerism Essay Topics for College Students

• Consumerism Culture: Challenges and Solutions
• Consumerism Dangers in the Book “No Logo” by Naomi Klein Essay (Book Review)
• Consumerism from the Sociological Perspective
• Consumerism in “Cloning the Consumer Culture” by Noreene Janus Analytical
• Consumerism in “The Ladies’ Paradise” and “Madame Bovary” Essay (Critical Writing)
• Consumerism in America
• Consumerism in American Society and Its Critique
• Consumerism in Andrew Lam’s Book “The Perfume Dreams, Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora” Explicatory
• Consumerism in Fight Club and Brave New World
• Consumerism in the 1960s in “A&;P“ by John Updike
• Consumerism in the Emirati Society
• Consumerism in Today’s World
• Consumerism in Weeks Linton’s Article “Burden of the Modern Beast”
• Consumerism is Beneficial to U.S Society
• Consumerism Is Killing Us
• Consumerism of Teens and Their Magazines
• Consumerism Positive and Negative Aspect
• Consumerism Strategy in “A Health Plan Work in Progress” by Tynan Report (Assessment)
• Consumerism Through the History
• Consumerism vs Locavore Movement
• Different Aspects of Consumerism
• Disposable Society: Capitalism and Consumerism Combined?
• Dynamics of the Chinese Consumer and Its Influence on Consumerism
• Environmental Studies: Transforming Cultures from Consumerism to Sustainability
• Environmentalism and Consumerism
• Ethical Consumerism and Twinings Company Report
• Exploring the Power of Consumerism as the Basis for Creating Countercultural Idea
• Fight Club – Analysis of Consumerism
• Green Washing and Its Effects on Consumerism
• Group Is the Compact That Are Against Consumerism
• Health Care Consumerism Definition
• How Consumerism Has Shaped America
• How Consumerism is Bred in The Fast Fashion World and Fashion Cultures
• How Do our Kids so Caught up in Consumerism
• Lakota Religion vs. Secular Religion of Consumerism
• Major Impacts of Consumerism in Contemporary World History Analytical
• Marji and Marxism: The Detrimental Effects of Consumerism and Religion in Persepolis
• Obesity and Consumerism in American Culture
• Online Consumerism as a Huge Part of Social Media
• Pros and Cons of How Capitalism and Consumerism Play Role in One’s Destiny
• Questions on Modern Consumerism
• Quotes on Consumerism Analysis Term
• Teachings of Buddha and Consumerism Evaluation
• The Brave New World as a Consumerism Society
• The Influence of Consumerism on 7-11 Years Children Analytical
• The Marxist Theory of Consumerism in Death of a Salesman, a Play by Arthur Miller
• The Phenomenon of Consumerism
• The Type of Consumerism in the 21st Century
• The Vicious Cycle of Consumerism
• Understanding Consumerism In Healthcare
• Values in the Article “Ethical Consumerism Is Not Dead”
• Wealthy & Educated vs. Poor & Uneducated Americans on Consumerism

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50 Latest Consumerism IELTS Topics

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What Should You Know About Choosing Consumerism Essays Topics?

Note: Only 'PhD' academic level option is available for Dissertation

13 May 2020

"The things that you own end up owning you." This famous quote from the protagonist of “The Fight Club” Tyler Durden sums up the concept of consumerism. Today we live in a world that is obsessed with consumer culture. Consumption tends to structure our everyday agendas and encompass our routine. However, consumerism can’t be called a definitive trait of modern society as it takes its roots deep in the past. Being a broad and diverse subject, consumerism is interesting to research.

One of the best ways for students to dive into the topic of consumption and understand its essence and the effect on people’s lives is to prepare a research paper. If you were assigned to a consumerism essay, you should show the best of your writing and analytic skills in order to score high. Although extensive research is essential, the success of your essay will lean upon the topic you pick. In this post, our writing experts offer you some helpful recommendations and a list of smart consumerism essay topics that will inspire you to prepare a brilliant work.

In case inspiration is not exactly what you need, and you’re looking for more hands-on assistance, there’s a solution for you, too. WePapers.com experts can craft a unique paper according to your instructions and strict academic requirements. Get in touch to know more or place an order today!

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Where Do You Start Writing a Consumerism Essay From?

The goal of a consumerism essay is to describe the reasons and effects of people equating their personal happiness by purchasing various material possessions and consuming them. Consumerism papers may appear to be somewhat more demanding than the papers on other subjects. They require a deep understanding of a topic, excellent analytical skills, and a sufficient amount of accurate data that will aid you in supporting the thesis of your essay. However, with due effort and attention, you will definitely craft an impeccable work that will impress your teacher.

The structure of a consumerism essay is quite standard. Here’s a basic consumerism essay outline that you can follow:

• Introduction with a thesis statement.
• Main ‘body’ part with the key arguments in favor or against your paper’s point.
• A conclusion which sums up your research.
• Reference page.

Before you start preparing the essay, make sure to ask your teacher about any specific requirements, formatting style, and the length of the essay in order not to miss out on anything.

What Topic Ideas Will Make Your Consumerism Essay Stand Out?

Despite all writing challenges, the theme of consumerism will surprise you with the variety of topics you can research on. A topic you choose will significantly affect the success of your essay. While an interesting one will make the process of researching and writing fun, a boring or confusing topic can turn it into drudgery. This is why you should opt for a topic that evokes your interest.

Further we provide a list of selected consumerism topics that can inspire you on writing an impressive essay:

• The effect of advertising on the health of society.
• The concept of consumerism and its ethical
• The theme of consumerism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
• Consumption and consumerism in the modern fashion industry.
• Different portrayal and perception of consumerism in famous movies and series.
• Showrooming and its effects of consumerism.
• In what ways does advertising manipulate children for profit?
• The concept of anti-consumerism in the works of Ginsberg, Roth, and Kerouac.
• Innovation as a basis of the capitalist system.
• The lending industry and the changes in the American philosophy of consumerism.
• Key changes in sales and consumerism during the Booming 1950s.
• The term ‘consumerism’ and its economist use.
• Can consumerism be called a morally correct choice?
• The global effects of consumerism on the environment.
• The effects of consumerism on the portrayal of a person’s self-image and their social status.
• Materialism and consumerism in the US.
• The role of consumerism in the global economy.
• The significance of Apple Macintosh with the American Consumerism.

It’s hard to deny that consumerism research papers are more demanding than those on other themes and subjects. At some point, you may realize you require competent advice or even assistance. Just like hundreds of other students, you may have difficulties finding a good essay topic or accurate facts to support your point. Some senior students may need case study writing help in consumerism as this type of assignment is more complicated. The good news is that you don’t have to deal with all these challenges alone; instead, apply to a reliable online writing service, such as WePapers.com. Our experienced writers will tackle any task and prepare a perfect consumerism essay upon your request in no time. Check out our paper writing service reviews by students who entrusted us their worries to see that we never leave our customers unsatisfied. WePapers.com is your best emergency writing help and an easy way to effectively tackle many academic challenges!

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Consumerism - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Consumerism refers to a societal and economic order driven by the acquisition of consumer goods. Essays on consumerism can delve into its historical evolution, its impact on the economy, the environment, and societal values. Furthermore, discussions could explore the psychological aspects of consumerism, the role of advertising and media in promoting consumer culture, and alternative economic models that might challenge or mitigate consumerism. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Consumerism you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Ethical Consumerism

Advertising is a method to gain attention and target customers to sell products. This is also known as targeting. Not all companies follow the ethical rules to reach out to consumers. Many businesses use manipulation and deception to achieve their sales goals. Ironically, some consumers trust the business to look out for not only their interest but also their full knowledge of the product to ensure their satisfaction and even their safety. What we fail to see is that consumers […]

Paired Debate Speech Water Pollution and Consumerism

Water is polluted many different ways, just to name a few are hypoxia, wastewater pollution, and marine debris. In this paper I will touch on many different ways waters become polluted, and you can see for yourself that human involvement is the root cause of it all. There are different types of pollution in the world. However, my argument is that water pollution is a more pressing matter in comparison to other forms of pollution. The EPA states in their […]

Gaystreaming on American Television

“Gaystreaming” is the inclusion of LGBTQ-cantered television programming, which creates media content that has “assimilationist directions in LGBT political movements, often counterposed to genuinely ‘queer’ politics (Ng, 2013, p. 260).” Under the context of Logo, the American explicitly LGBTQ channel network, gaystreaming refers to the network’s internal strategy for a larger audience, especially heterosexual women (Ng, 2013, p. 259). The network recognizes the audience in the niche market and the decentralized trend that has emerged with the rapid increase as […]

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Capitalism and Consumerism Throughout Art

How can art be utilized in exposing consumerism's destruction to a Capitalist society? Capitalism is a form of government based on demand and supply. Consumerism is an ideology found within Capitalism. Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts (Dictionary.com) This ties into and benefits Capitalism because this type of society runs based on demand and supply. Meaning, the people get what they want (or think they want), even if […]

The Society’s Obsession with Materialism in the Fight Club

Throughout Fight Club, we follow a story that is told by a narrator who battles his sense of self. By depending on different types of outlets and people around him, he starts to build his identity through them. The narrative crisis that evolves throughout this film is built on Corporate America and the amount of power it has to influence their consumers in everyday life. This is something the narrator is aware of, and takes full part in as he […]

Zombies and our Culture

In trying to understand the influence zombies have on the society, it is relevant to know the origin of zombies. The first mention of zombie was in Haiti to represent the returned body. Then films began creating this monsters, and one thing led to another. The word monster can be defined as fear taking a physical form. The society makes a physical form of something that is perceived to cause concern. Zombies, Vampires and even Godzilla's are all created due […]

Post-World War II America

World War II was coming to a close. The United States had played a large part in the war by assisting in the victory of the Allies over the Axis Powers from the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor until the Japanese surrender in the summer of 1945. The U.S. had, at first, expressed the intent to remain neutral in the war - When the WWII first began with Adolf Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939, America portrayed itself […]

The Loneliness in the Film Fight Club

In today's society, loneliness is something experienced by a vast number of people. The age of technology and consumerism have brought social isolation to many. The film Fight Club explores the loneliness of a man who was trapped in the confines of superficial societal values. The protagonist develops a mental illness from the isolation he endured. Due to modern communication technology, human interaction is dwindling. More and more people are spending less time with others and more time alone seeking […]

Capitalism is an Unparalleled Economic and Political System

Capitalism is a system known for promoting prosperity, wealth, freedom, and more. It goes without saying that any country that has ever existed will have inevitable setbacks. Ideally, the supposed lack of investment of S&P 500 companies in themselves, and homelessness in Seattle, did not come into fruition because of Capitalism. Nevertheless, critics suggest that an alternative to Capitalism is required to fix these issues. But these alternative systems, that they insist on implementing, have consistently failed to meet the […]

Capitalism and its Role

Can radical, rebellious music remain authentic in a modern global society? Alternatively, will the hip-hop message change once it is absorbed into the mainstream? Hip Hop started in the 1970s on the South Bronx streets, and it was a way for black people to deal with experiences of marginalization and oppression. Like punk rock, hip-hop was not considered to be a commercial thing in the first place, but it was an attitude of opposition to mainstream society through sampling, dance, […]

Analysis of “The True Cost” Documentary

True Cost ‘True Cost’ is a documentary based on research of Clothing Industry - about the clothes we wear, people who make them and unseen part of our world that compels to ask who pays the price for our clothing. The documentary explores the Cost in Economics?is the combination of gains and losses of any Goods that have a value attached to them by any one individual, and goods to be taken into consideration are e.g. money, time and resources. The clothing Industry through world […]

The War System of Colombia Capitalism

When people think of Colombia they might think of the popular singer- songwriter Shakira or, possibly, cocaine. This paper will discuss Colombia's ongoing Civil War. Colombia can be found on a map in the northern tip of South America. In 1525 Spain began to colonize Colombia but in 1813 Colombia, finally, won its independence back. Colombia has a free market economy, its GDP in 2017 was 309.2 billion USD, ranking at number 39 out of the 200 countries documented in […]

Type of Consumer Behavior

The topic of this paper will be minimalism, specifically minimalism as a movement in which people find meaning in life by consuming less and more responsibly. Minimalism challenges excessive consumption and unethical practices within capitalism. On an individual level, minimalism encourages consumers to think rationally and critically about their own purchases. Additionally, minimalism is often seen as a way to achieve happiness by decluttering and returning to important personal values. Many other terms have been proposed to define this type […]

Mass Market and Consumer Culture Products

Industrialization was the cause for Modernity in today's Design because Industrisation gave way to Mass production in which goods could be produced more efficiently for Mass Market and goods could be afforded by the middle class in something known as Consumer Culture. These goods became objects of conspicuous consumption wherein one could display their class, social status or role in any given community. This rise in buying a practice and new opportunities led Designers to believe they had a greater […]

Falling Stocks: Motivation for New Ideas

Nike is one of the most popular apparel brands known primarily for their line of shoes. On September 4, 2018 Nike stock fell 3.2%. This is believed to be caused by the recent controversy surrounding Nike’s choice to put Colin Kaepernick, the NFL quarterback who started kneeling during the national anthem in supposed protest of police brutality, as the face of their new advertising campaign. The recent ad pictures Kaepernick’s portrait with the slogan “Believe in something. Even if it […]

American Capitalism and the American Environment

For decades, the United States of America has been beheld as the champion of capitalism. A nation grown from a group of small English colonies into a world superpower, through relatively free market trade. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, American capitalism grew in a rapidly technologically advancing era without the challenge of a powerful opposing economic theory. Many Americans, even today, scoff at the idea of voting for a liberal candidate, using the term, "socialist," as […]

The Story of Stuff

Four main issues have been discussed in the fourth chapter, "Consumption" of The Story of Stuff. The four themes are discussed below: Unhappy People, Nation, and PlanetAnnie emphasizes that many stuff doesn't make us happy but the work done out of hard work makes one satisfied thus one is happy. She goes further to say that "we can only compromise so much until no solution is reached." If one is rich, it is assumed he is happy, and those who […]

Capitalism Lines in Modern Society

Today practically every country in the world is organized along capitalist lines.  This economic system focuses on the production, distribution and exchange of capital goods by private entities and businesses.  The rise of capitalism is a documented balance between cooperation and coercion, teetering back and forth throughout history and society.  Observing the exploitation of labor or systemic injustices under the umbrella of capitalism yields different results throughout history.  However, it is clear that exploitation has and will exist under former […]

Grit and Grime: the Consumerism Power of Grease Monkey Wipes

In the realm of automotive upkeep, where the battle against grease, grime, and grit is a perpetual one, stands a silent hero: Grease Monkey Wipes. Imagine this scenario: You've just wrapped up changing the oil in your faithful old sedan. Your hands are coated in a thick layer of motor oil, defying the best efforts of conventional soap to penetrate the stubborn grease. This is precisely the moment when Grease Monkey Wipes make their grand entrance, ready to confront the […]

Roaring Twenties: the Dawn of Modern Consumerism

In the tumultuous wake of World War I, the 1920s emerged as an era marked by a seismic shift in societal norms and the dawn of modern consumerism. This transformative period witnessed a profound evolution in the American way of life, catalyzed by technological advancements, changing attitudes, and economic prosperity. The end of the war heralded an era of optimism and economic growth. Industrialization surged, leading to increased production and a surplus of goods. This abundance, coupled with innovations in […]

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Home Essay Samples Economics

Essay Samples on Consumerism

Attitudes towards consumerism in contemporary art.

In this essay I will be using information gathered from my own personal research, studio research and relevant topics discussed throughout the lectures. Whilst also, considering social, economic, and cultural factors. I will be discussing and analyzing attitudes towards consumerism in Contemporary Art. Built from...

• Art History
• Consumerism
• Contemporary Art

The Characteristics of a Consumer Society in the UK by Zygmunt Bauman and Sharon Zukin

From around the 1970’s and 1980’s, the society in the UK shifted their economy from one focused on industrial, mass production and consumption to a more services-based society characterised by what it consumed. Since then, society has become defined not only by what it consumes...

• Consumer Behavior

Cost-Benefit Analysis and Individual’s Willingness to Pay

Economic methods such as Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) are used to aid decisions, many of which encompass natural resources and environmental problems. Approaches including Contingent Valuation (CV) may be used to provide a monetary value to these cost/benefits. In the context of the question, the lack...

• Cost Benefit
• Mercantilism

Consumption And Randomness In Don Delillo’s Novel White Noise

Much like other postmodern novels, author Don DeLillo has integrated randomness into his novel’s form as well as its overall content. White Noise’s main character, Jack Gladney’s, stream of consciousness is often interrupted by his television, which is almost always streaming some sort of daily...

The Dangers of Technology Reliance and Consumerism in the Novel Feed by M.T Anderson

Imagine being able to get instant information, gossip, news, and any social networking humanly possible; sounds amazing right, just watch what the feed does. In the book “Feed” by M. T Anderson, he explains the dangers of a lifestyle centered around technology and consumerism. The...

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Wall-E: A Warning About The Impacts Consumerism Can Have on Our Planet

In the film WALL-E directed by Andrew Stanton follows a trash compactor robot named WALL-E who is now collecting all the garbage of an uninhabitable Earth. Humans haven’t resided in Earth over 700 years and have been sent to space by the Buy n Large...

Wildernesses in Businesses: “Friday Black”

In Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s apocalyptic short story “Friday Black”, the author scrutinizes consumers’ and businesses’ wilderness on Black Friday in a dystopian, contemporary and materialistic society. For most people, Black Friday rhymes with ‘Deals and Steals’- meaning that trying to buy what we really want...

• Black Friday

Friday Black' Consumerism Vs Civilization

The Friday black narrative is a major hyperbole that can be used to show consumerism which leads to low civilization. In the book, “Friday Black: Consumerism Minus Civilization” the author states that Black Friday deals have gone out of control. People should realize that black...

The Dark Side of Consumerism: How Advertisements Fuel Materialism

In today's world, advertising is ubiquitous. We are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we need to buy certain products in order to be happy, successful, or attractive. This culture of consumerism and materialism has led to a society that is obsessed with buying...

• Materialism

Effects of Consumerism and Materialism on the Environment

Materialism is the notion that a person’s mental states are nothing over and above their material states. The theory is far more than a simple focus on material possessions. It states that everything in the universe is matter, without any true spiritual or intellectual existence....

Consumerism in East and West Germany: Shaping Modern Economic Landscape

From early civilization to modern-day society, the economy and currency exchange have ruled who is in power and how lives are led. Germany from the close of World War II to today has proven to be no different. There are clear trends through the documented...

Temptation of Fast Fashion and Consumerism Culture

Many people in the U.S. have gotten used to our consumerist society and endlessly partake in it. We can declare to being constantly bombarded by visual stimuli, bear witness to the long lines for limited-edition collaborations between brands, splurging on clothes in-stores or online, and...

• Fast Fashion

Consumerism Manipulation in Capitalist Society

Since the moment we were born, our consumerist society has been making an enormous effort to convince us that we’re not good enough simply by being the way we are. The advertising industry has made us believe that the only way to feel comfortable with...

The Concepts I Learnt From Cocktail Party Economics

From reading Cocktail Party Economics, there are a lot of concepts which I had found interesting, shocking, and even obvious. The idea in the first few chapters is to just give an introduction about the vocabulary of an economist. This is where I learnt that...

• Book Review
• Economic Growth

Financial Capacity Decides Happiness Level From Purchased Experiences Material Items

When people buy things they desire, they tend to feel happy about the effort. But does spending money can always increase the level of happiness? In a recent study, researchers found that it depends on their financial capacity and the type of things they actually...

Best topics on Consumerism

1. Attitudes Towards Consumerism in Contemporary Art

2. The Characteristics of a Consumer Society in the UK by Zygmunt Bauman and Sharon Zukin

3. Cost-Benefit Analysis and Individual’s Willingness to Pay

4. Consumption And Randomness In Don Delillo’s Novel White Noise

5. The Dangers of Technology Reliance and Consumerism in the Novel Feed by M.T Anderson

6. Wall-E: A Warning About The Impacts Consumerism Can Have on Our Planet

7. Wildernesses in Businesses: “Friday Black”

8. Friday Black’ Consumerism Vs Civilization

9. The Dark Side of Consumerism: How Advertisements Fuel Materialism

10. Effects of Consumerism and Materialism on the Environment

11. Consumerism in East and West Germany: Shaping Modern Economic Landscape

12. Temptation of Fast Fashion and Consumerism Culture

13. Consumerism Manipulation in Capitalist Society

14. The Concepts I Learnt From Cocktail Party Economics

15. Financial Capacity Decides Happiness Level From Purchased Experiences Material Items

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• Coal Mining
• International Trade
• Gift Card Industry
• Real Estate
• Enron Scandal

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Home — Essay Samples — Economics — Economic Theory — Consumerism

Essays on Consumerism

If you're looking for a cool topic for your next essay, consider diving into the world of consumerism. It's a super relevant and interesting topic that affects all of us in one way or another. Plus, there are so many different angles to explore, making it a great choice for your next writing assignment.

When it comes to choosing a topic for your consumerism essay, think about what aspect of consumerism interests you the most. Are you passionate about the environmental impact of consumerism? Or maybe you want to explore the psychological effects of consumer culture on individuals? Once you've got a topic in mind, you can start brainstorming ideas and doing some research to narrow it down.

If you're thinking about writing an argumentative essay on consumerism, consider topics like "The impact of consumerism on the environment" or "The role of advertising in promoting consumerism." For a cause and effect essay, you could explore topics such as "The effects of consumerism on mental health" or "The causes and consequences of overconsumption."

If you're more into sharing your opinions, an opinion essay on consumerism might be the way to go. You could write about "The pros and cons of consumer culture" or "My personal experience with consumerism." And if you're all about sharing information, an informative essay on consumerism could cover topics like "The history of consumerism" or "How consumerism shapes society."

Now, let's take a look at an example of a consumerism essay. For a thesis statement, you could go with something like "Consumerism has a significant impact on our environment and our mental well-being." In your , you might want to start with a thought-provoking quote or a shocking statistic to grab your reader's attention. And in your , you can summarize your main points and leave your reader with something to think about, like a call to action or a question to ponder.

So, there you have it - a quick guide to writing an awesome essay on consumerism. Have fun exploring this fascinating topic and happy writing!

Consumerism and The Pop Art Movement

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Effects of Consumerism in The 1920s

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The Brave New World as a Consumerism Society

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A Study on How Consumerism Has Affected Families in America and China

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• IELTS Sample Essay 8 – Consumerism

It is widely believed that consumerism is vital for the economy well-being of a country. However others feel that consumerism has unacceptable social consequences on a society. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion

There have been many studies on how some economies are so successful while others are still struggling to survive. Many economists advocate consumerism on the grounds that it is the prime factor of a wealthy economy. However, socialists argue that consumerism would also cause adverse effects on a society. I am of the mixed opinion.

Regarding the economic benefits, consumerism would help an economy to be more sustainable. Lessons learnt from recent financial crises such as the collapse of the Lehman Brothers’ bank or Greek debt crisis have shown that countries with a large domestic buying force would recover better. Nowadays, many governments have chosen to boost the internal spending as an important strategy to stimulate their economy. China, Japan and the United States are good examples. On the other hand, countries such as Singapore have a relatively small pool of local consumers and have to rely much on international trading. Those countries are more vulnerable to the health of the world economy.

However, in terms of social impact, consumerism would create societies that value commercial contributions over social contributions. In such societies, people who spend more money such as the rich would be considered to be more important than scientists or artists. As a result, despite some short-term economic success, the well-being of the society will suffer in the long term due to social issues such as the gap between the rich and the poor or lack of science and cultural development. People who live in those societies would have a more stressful life.

In conclusion, although consumerism has some economic advantages, it has negative effects on the society that should not be overlooked. Therefore, a balanced socioeconomic development strategy would be of great importance.

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Essays on Consumerism

287 samples on this topic

On this resource, we've put together a catalog of free paper samples regarding Consumerism. The plan is to provide you with a sample similar to your Consumerism essay topic so that you could have a closer look at it in order to grasp a better idea of what a great academic work should look like. You are also suggested to implement the best Consumerism writing practices displayed by competent authors and, eventually, craft a top-notch paper of your own.

However, if composing Consumerism papers completely by yourself is not an option at this point, WowEssays.com essay writer service might still be able to help you out. For example, our writers can develop a unique Consumerism essay sample exclusively for you. This model paper on Consumerism will be written from scratch and tailored to your original requirements, reasonably priced, and sent to you within the pre-set period. Choose your writer and buy custom essay now!

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 English Discussion on  Consumerism

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THE DISCUSSION ON CONSUMERISM

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Feathers, cognition and global consumerism in colonial Amazonia

by University of Chicago

Amazonia is the home of the largest variety of birds in the world. In such a unique environment, craft cultures have flourished by translating the beauty and creativity of environmental materials like feathers into stunning pieces of art.

An article titled "The Material Creativity of Affective Artifacts in the Dutch Colonial World" in Current Anthropology by Stefan Hanß of the University of Manchester, examines artisanal featherwork within the context of early modern colonialism and globalization. These structures, Hanß writes, both engendered and endangered material creativity and knowledge.

In the article, Hanß examines how new ways of handling, trading, and thinking with feathers emerged in colonial Dutch Brazil. "Dutch colonial encounters with South American enviromateriality," Hanß notes, "stirred European appreciation of and engagement with the creative and transformative power of natural environments."

As a result, art like featherwork became a valuable commodity. The resulting global exploitation of Amazonian birds, feathers, and indigenous knowledge transformed Amazonian life and impacted South American biodiversity.

To fully capture the cognitive achievements of 17th-century featherworkers, Hanß combines in-depth archival research with affect theory and imaging analysis conducted by the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, University of Manchester.

This new methodology is exemplified by the research done on the Messel Standing Feather Fan of the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, an object whose history reflects the global scale of the trade in materials, the transmission of artisanal knowledge, and the blurred boundaries of consumer cultures in the seventeenth-century Dutch Empire.

Ultimately, the article "highlights the immeasurable global, creative potential of South American biodiversity and cultural diversity , adding insights into the consequences of its growing extinction today."

Journal information: Current Anthropology

Provided by University of Chicago

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Consumerism-Effects on Society and Environment Essay

Introduction, effects of consumerism on the society, effects on consumerism on the environment, effects of consumerism on health, role of politicians and the media in promoting consumption, controlling consumerism.

Consumerism refers to the process by which individuals acquire new goods and services without making some important considerations. Some of these considerations that the consumers do not mind are their need for the product and the durability of the product. They also do not mind the effects of the manufacture and disposal of the product to the environment. Companies spend huge sums of money to advertise their products so as to create a desire for the product by the consumers. The advertisements convince the consumers that the products are very important and that it is very beneficial for them to acquire the products. Those who acquire the products are convinced that they have made an achievement. Consumerism leads to materialism where consumers are preoccupied with the acquisition of material objects, comforts and considerations and have no concern on the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural values. Consumerism has many effects on the society. The common trends of buying adequate supply of life’s necessities, community life, a stable family and healthy relationships changes to a situation where individuals have a great desire for new things and the money to buy them with little or no concern on the utility of the new products. The individuals and organizations that benefit from consumerism encourage individuals to discard old products either because they are not durable or because their fashion is old and outdated. Consumerism is the principle cause of many negative issues in the environment. It leads to pollution and depletion of natural resources. Consumerism has many effects on the health of consumers. The attitudes of the public to food and food supplements affect their health in a great way. Consumerism leads to the society demanding health services instead of accepting what is already available. Politicians and the media play great roles in promoting consumption. Consumerism has many effects on the society, environment, and the health of consumers and politicians and the media play a major role in promoting consumption.

Society is one of the fields that have heavily been affected by consumerism. Consumerism causes individuals to spend money on issues that are not necessary. Individuals tend to spend much money in buying goods of dubious value and little social return instead of spending the money in social capital such as education, housing, nutrition and others (Shukla 2). The consumer pays more money for the new products whose prices are higher so as to perceive the consumers that they are very important. Many individuals acquire the products on credit which is very expensive. When one purchases a new product like an automobile, he or she spends extra money in registration, insurance, repair, maintenance, and others. The increased demand for new products have increased competition among manufacturers and new products are emerging every day. The consumers on the other hand continue spending more money in buying the new products that are in fashion. Eventually, the rooms available in many homes are inadequate to hold all the products that the owners of the homes buy. New purchases lead to orphaned and unwanted things in many homes. This leads to wastage of good land can be used for farming. Warehouses are built in the land to store the extra products that the consumers do not use in their homes. As a result of consumerism, much money and other resources are wasted.

Consumerism affects the interaction between individuals in a society. The quest for more money to acquire material things preoccupies individuals to the extent that they have no time for other individuals in the society (Shukla 4). Spiritual values are underplayed where individuals no longer attend churches and to not see the importance of attending the money. Community gatherings have also been neglected for individuals go out to look for money to help them acquire material things. People have no time for their neighbors and do not even mind knowing their names because taking interest in them wastes time that could be used to acquire more money. Parents have no time for their children and end up employing baby sitters to cater for the children. Day care and rest homes have been charged with the responsibility of providing wisdom and tradition to the young children. Parents to the children are engaged in activities that can help them earn more money. The quality of products that individuals possess determines their class. They interact with those who belong to their class. This leads to discrimination of the less fortunate and those who cannot afford expensive products. As a result, personal relationships are affected and interactions reduce because everyone in the society is busy looking for money.

Consumerism has affected the lifestyles of people in society. People no longer focus on simplicity but concentrates on life that is more lavish and full of material comforts (Shukla 6). Individuals have come to believe that their lives will only be possible if they attain some products that they have not yet acquired so far. Instead of living in a healthy balanced society, individuals are turning themselves into human consumer goods. Many people are engaged in issues such as weight training, cosmetic surgery, breast reduction, diet centers, permanent eye make-up, collagen injections and others. Individuals spend a lot of money in trying to become what they are not.

Consumerism leads to an increase in crime rates. Today, a developed society is known by the material wealth of the individuals in it. This poses many dangers on the lives of many people. It leads to consumerism which in turn increases people’s desires and wants for goods. The people not only want to possess goods but expensive goods. Many cannot afford these expensive goods and they end up planning on how to illegally acquire them from the ones who have them. Theft cases and daytime robberies increase. Envy and jealousy are also likely to lead to crime (Shukla 9). Consumerism leads to a new form of business where criminals steal expensive products and sell them at lower costs to other people. This happens so that they can quest their thirst for money that can help them acquire other goods and services. As a result of consumerism, many individuals have purchased personal cars which they use in their activities. This has led to the erosion of public transport meaning that the individuals who earned their living in the department have lost their jobs. Such individuals may turn into criminal activities if they lack some other means of meeting their needs. In general, consumerism leads to criminal activities.

Consumerism has led to an increase in consumer demand leading to pollution of the environment (Chilongo 2). The first form pollution is the pollution of the water and the skies. Most of the products that consumers purchase are wrapped. Many companies wrap their products using plastic bags. When an individual buys a commodity that is wrapped with a plastic paper, he or she does mind the method of disposal that he or she uses but just thinks about the product itself. The plastic bags are thrown anywhere and they gat washed into the water ways. Animals that live in the waters may get caught up in the plastic bags and suffocate. The plastic bags in wrapping products take a very long period of time to decay. Disposing them into the environment affects the plants. Consumerism has led to the acquisition of many automobiles by individuals. A large percentage of individuals in the United States own personal vehicles. This is very dangerous to the environment. The automobiles use fuel that is a major cause of pollution. When the fuel burns, poisonous gas such as carbon monoxide is released into the environment. The gas is very harmful to the health of a human being and may even lead to death if taken in large quantities.

Consumerism causes depletion in the natural resources of a country (Chilongo 3). An increased use of automobile means an increased demand for fuel. The fuel that the machines use is extracted from the earth. The mines can run out of fuel leading to an economic downturn in the specific country. An increase in food consumption also affects the environment in that the amount of land needed to produce the foods is quite large and the land available may not meet the needs of the consumers. Farmers are at times forced to farm continuously without giving the land any breaks. The land deteriorates and the production keeps on reducing because it gets exhausted. The amount of water needed to farm and feed livestock so as to meet the needs of the consumers is a lot. Excessive use of water for farming and livestock may lead to a reduction of water supply in some places especially those individuals that live in the lower parts of sources of water. Digging of bore holes to increase the amount of water available for farming leads to drying of rivers that are major sources of supply. Natural resources keep on depleting as a result of consumerism.

Consumerism has negative effects on the ecology. So as to produce more goods and services that meet the demand of the consumers, natural habitat is being destroyed (Chilongo 3). The habitat is not being replaced but keeps on deteriorating. This affects the environment in general. The natural habitat is also destroyed when some space is needed for people to construct some buildings. This reduces the amount of land available for farming and also is a destruction of the natural environment. The industries that are being constructed to produce more goods not only consume space but emit gases that pollute the environment. Consumerism is a major cause of global warming.

Consumerism is a major cause of health problems to many individuals. As stated before, consumerism increases individuals’ desires and needs. Some individuals do not have the capacity to meet these needs regardless of their efforts. Some people work under great tensions but cannot meet their desires. This leads to situations of stress that eventually lead to depression (Mayell 4). The individuals who have enough money to meet their needs end up consuming fatty foods and in excess. They consume every type of food that is shown to have value and healthy. Such people get obsessed for accumulation of sugars in their bodies. In a bid to maintain good shapes and figures, people spend much money on injections, surgery, and others. These may cause cancer which leads to death. The more the goods produced to meet the demands of the customers, the more the emissions that are made in the industries. Consumption of these harmful emissions from industries and others by automobiles also affects the health of individuals. Consumerism affects the health of many in a negative way.

The media and politicians play a role in promoting consumption. The media promotes consumerism in its process of advertising for products. Many organizations spend much money to advertise their products in the media. This is done in newspapers, radios, newspapers, magazines, billboards, and many others. The media persuades the audience that the product is very effective and meets all the needs of the consumers (Micheletti, Follesdal and Stolle 45). The media gives the name of the product and shows the audience how the product or service could benefit the audience. This way, the media convinces potential customers to go for the specific brand. The media shows the audience that the product or service meets their demands. It also creates a picture in the minds of the consumer that this is the best brand compared to all other brands in the market. When the media convinces customers that a brand is of great value, potential customers will go for it regardless of whether they need it or not. They just want to possess new products that are of great value. Those who do not have money to purchase the product will start working hard so as to purchase it. The media also creates envy on the consumer which increases the demand for the product. This way, many individuals buy many goods and services that are not necessary in their lives. Politicians on the other hand promote consumption in that their views concerning a product are believed to be true by the consumers (Micheletti, Follesdal and Stolle 213). If a politician allows a product to be sold in his or her state or uses the product, the consumers will believe that the product is of high quality. They also would like to be associated with it. Many will go out looking for it even if they have other products which can address the issue that it will come to address.

Consumerism has become very common and something needs to be done so as to control it. The first important is educating individuals on the effects of consumerism on the environment and the society in general. Informing individuals on the dangers on consuming everything that they view being advertised would help them avoid buying them. Consumers should also be informed of the effects of buying new machines when they already have enough. It is dangerous to the environment. They should be encouraged to spend their money in a way that could benefit society rather than destroy it. Spending the money in social capital such as education would benefit the entire society. Consumers should be informed to avoid buying new products especially if they are not necessary in their lives. They should be informed that the picture of the products that the media portrays is not always the truth. Organizations make advertisements so as to increase their competitive advantage and revenue. When one really needs something, they should borrow or buy a used one so that the ones that are already in there can be utilized. The only new products that should be include hygiene products, utilitarian services, medicines, art supplies, and others. This way consumerism can be controlled.

Consumerism has many effects on the society, environment, and the health of consumers and politicians and the media play a major role in promoting consumption. This is because consumers buy the products just because they are new and not because they really need them. Individuals concentrate on acquiring new products and the money to acquire them. Beneficiaries of consumerism encourage individuals to discard old products and acquire new ones so as to keep up with fashion. Consumerism has many effects on society. Individuals spend much money buying goods that have dubious value and have little social return. It affects interpersonal relationships and interaction between individuals in the society because everybody concentrates in acquiring money. It changes lifestyles and leads to increased crime rates. Consumerism affects the environment in that it leads to increased use of machines and goods that pollute the environment. It also leads to depletion of natural resources and ecological imbalances. Consumerism affects the health of individuals negatively whereby it causes them to develop complications. The media promotes consumerism through advertisement where it persuades the consumers to purchase a product or service because it is of great benefit to them. Politicians promote consumerism by their views. Consumers need to be educated on the effects of consumerism in order to control it. They should also be encouraged to avoid new things where possible.

Chilongo, Menezes. The Effects of Consumerism on the Environment. 2010. Web.

Mayell, Hillary. As Consumerism Spreads, Earth Suffers, Study Says. 2004. Web.

Micheletti, Michele, Follesdal, Andreas and Stolle, Dietlind. Politics, Products, and Markets: Exploring Political Consumerism Past and present . New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2004. Print.

Shukla, Amitabh. The Effects of Consumerism. 2009. Web.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Consumerism-Effects on Society and Environment." December 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/consumerism-effects-on-society-and-environment/.

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Feathers, cognition and global consumerism in colonial Amazonia

Amazonia is the home of the largest variety of birds in the world. In such a unique environment, craft cultures have flourished by translating the beauty and creativity of environmental materials like feathers into stunning pieces of art. "The Material Creativity of Affective Artifacts in the Dutch Colonial World," a new article in Current Anthropology by Stefan Hanß of the University of Manchester, examines artisanal featherwork within the context of early modern colonialism and globalization. These structures, Hanß writes, both engendered and endangered material creativity and knowledge.

In the article, Hanß examines how new ways of handling, trading, and thinking with feathers emerged in colonial Dutch Brazil. "Dutch colonial encounters with South American enviromateriality," Hanß notes, "stirred European appreciation of and engagement with the creative and transformative power of natural environments." As a result, art like featherwork became a valuable commodity. The resulting global exploitation of Amazonian birds, feathers, and indigenous knowledge transformed Amazonian life and impacted South American biodiversity.

To fully capture the cognitive achievements of 17 th -century featherworkers, Hanß combines in-depth archival research with affect theory and imaging analysis conducted by the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, University of Manchester. This new methodology is exemplified by the research done on the Messel Standing Feather Fan of the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, an object whose history reflects the global scale of the trade in materials, the transmission of artisanal knowledge, and the blurred boundaries of consumer cultures in the seventeenth-century Dutch Empire.

Ultimately, the article "highlights the immeasurable global, creative potential of South American biodiversity and cultural diversity, adding insights into the consequences of its growing extinction today."

• Invasive Species
• Early Birds
• Lost Treasures
• Anthropology
• Feathered dinosaurs
• Archaeology
• Wildlife gardening
• Conservation ethic

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Chicago Press Journals . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Stefan Han�. The Material Creativity of Affective Artifacts in the Dutch Colonial World . Current Anthropology , 2024; 65 (2): 196 DOI: 10.1086/729605

Cite This Page :

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