Negative Effects of Consumerism Essay - 1753 Words

Negative Effects of Consumerism on North American Society Consumerism is damaging to our society, in our North American society consumerism is often portrayed to be a negative aspect of people’s lives. However, one can also argue positive effects that result from consumerism, or emphasize on the negative effects of consumerism and how it can be a constraining force in one’s own life. Consumerism is an idea of an economic policy that the market is shaped by the choice of the consumer and continues to emerge to shape the world’s mass markets. Some of the negative effects of consumerism that many critics may argue and that will be further emphasized on are the overexploitation of consumerism which has lead to economic poverty, and increase†¦show more content†¦The rich consume at the expense of the poor as further resources are expended maintaining this unequal balance of power. (Kaza, 2000) Additionally, many environmentalists argue that consumerism has severe affects on the environment and blame it for many issues society is currently facing. Some major concerns about consumerism are that it can cause pollution, land contamination, and forest degradation. The production and waste of products used in consumption is related to pollution. Industrial waste and automobiles are primary examples, as well as waste from industrial agriculture and individual consumer waste. A main issue that exists is the exporting of pollution and waste from developed countries to poorer countries, a process which is done due to the fact that poorer countries have lower standards or exempt from the emission reduction targets (Shah, 2010). Similarly, according to the Chief economist for the World Bank Larry Summers the World Bank should be encouraging more migration of dirty industries to less developed countries, ironically the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is perfect, however there are many countries in Africa that are vastly under-polluted. Their air quality is probably vastly inefficiently low compared to city like, Los Angeles or Mexico City (Robbins, 1999). According to Larry Summers,Show MoreRelatedNegative Effects Of Consumerism1180 Words   |  5 Pages Consumerism is one of the powerful influence in our society daily affects our life. The term â€Å"consumerism† no longer about the protection or promotion of the interests of consumers, but instead the idea that to be happier, better and more successful people we must have more stuff. Today we live in a time when there is little to no understanding of how the goods we consume and take for granted came into being. Without this we lack the knowledge to understand the true costs of our consumption, andRead MoreNegative Effects Of Consumerism On Society825 Words   |  4 PagesConsumerism plays an extreme role in today’s economy and society. It is one of the key aspects of the economy growing, however it negatively affects the people of society. Consumerism has taken over society, with peoples’ need to classify themselves in a certain social status with the purchases of expensive merchandise. It may help the economy thrive, however it is society’s downfall with its depressing need to buy unnecessary products. Through modern technology, consumerism can easily capture peopleRead MoreConsumerism Has Changed Our Society1342 Words   |  6 PagesConsumerism over centuries has shaped our society into the world we live in today. Throughout our history, the American dream has been to become the most successful person you can possibly become given the opportunities presented to you. 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Lawrence Essay1000 Words   |  4 Pagesthe aspiration of money and consumerism. Families provide their household’s financial needs, but neglect the emotional aspects. The overpowering need for money takes a toll on families. D.H Lawrence’s short story explores the dynamics of money and its psychological toll. The story’s unhappy family in D.H Lawrence’s short story, â€Å"The Rocking-Horse Winner†, demonstrates the adverse psychological effects that derive from the insatiable desire of money and mindless consumerism. The stories dissatisfiedRead MoreMustafa Mond And Aldous Huxleys Brave New World1001 Words   |  5 Pagesattention to parallels between Ford and Mond throughout the book. He mocks their style of leadership, which values science over nature, and demonstrates the detrimental effects of it. In Aldous Huxley’s work, Brave New World, he utilizes the character Mustafa Mond to reflect the life of Henry Ford in order to warn readers of the negative effects of an overbearing leader. Mustafa Mond and Henry Ford both enforce mass production in their communities, and Huxley proves how mass production strips individualsRead MoreThe Impact Of Consumerism939 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to Dictionary.com, consumerism is defined as â€Å"the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.† Basically, this definition boils down to people getting more people to buy more products is a good thing. However, things aren’t always as they seem. In order to get people to be interested in your product, there is lots of advertisement involved and this of course costs money. Unfortunately, with lots of advertisements, they may not tell the whole truthRead MoreConsumerism and Faith979 Words   |  4 Pagespaying bills. The social pressure to keep up with these material items has an effect on quality bonding time which has an effect on money. 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