Consumerism And Its Effects

573 Words3 Pages
Globalisation was a concept taken with scepticism by many in society. A crucial aspect of globalisation was that of consumerism, which provided the world with limitless choice. This eventually led to what was considered alarming and even negative consequences for the conservative world. This essay will aim to examine the many features of consumerism and the role it plays in the modern day by exploring sensationalism, commodities, national domination, culture and environmental factors. Although the negative effects of consumerism far outweigh the beneficial ones, it is clear that the promotion of consumerist values can in fact enrich society as a whole. As implied in Source K, limitless choice has allowed people to consider consumerist items with a “symbolic value”. They have allowed society the opportunity to discover their own individuality and expression through the various items they purchase. Furthermore, consumerism can lead to the development of economies enriching the lives of those on a global scale due to flourishing markets. Advertising has improved and transformed as a result of consumerism leading to faster and more efficient media coverage. However, it is questionable as to whether advertising is as truthful as it is set out to be. As seen in Source H, which states: “...no mention is ever made of the animals killed...of some new cosmetic...and the people who will starve...for us to enjoy certain foods...”, it is clear that advertising involves far more sensationalism than truth. Aside from manipulating the truth behind consumerism, advertising has also initiated greed and desires for commodities as seen in Source I. Conservative nations or younger audiences are exposed to distasteful or inappropriate advertising merely to promote consumerism. Furthermore, the concept of consumerism has become a “US-dominated culture industry” as explained in Source
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