Meaning of Consumerism (What is, Concept and Definition)

What is Consumerism:

Consumerism refers to the tendency to acquire, consume or accumulate goods and services that, in many cases, are not necessary for people.

Consumerism is an economic, social and political phenomenon that has developed throughout the twentieth century as a consequence of the various models of production and consumption implemented after capitalism and reinforced for advertising.

For its part, advertising is a type of communication that seeks to provoke new consumer needs in the consumer that involve the reach of happiness or a better status, beyond being true or no.

In this way, people are influenced to acquire an infinite number of products that, surely, they do not need or do not need for their mental or physical well-being.

Likewise, the consumerism impacts the economy of families or individuals because it implies an extra expense that is not necessary but, that the same is carried out because the publishing techniques offer them as something indispensable and that produces satisfaction.

That is, consumerism encourages the acquisition of objects or services in order to find personal identity, happiness or satisfaction that people cannot obtain otherwise.This situation leads to a series of more specialized studies.

Hence, the tendency of excessive consumerism is generating serious environmental, economic, cultural problems , political and social, is a negative impact activity that compromises the well-being of people.

However, there are alternatives to reduce consumerism, such as promoting and promoting sustainable development and responsible consumption.

However, the most serious impact of consumerism is evidenced in the consumption, depletion of natural resources and in the ecological imbalance.

This is because, in order to produce in a manner massive a number in Product accounting is essential to exploit and deplete various natural resources that, in some cases, are not renewable.

In addition, consumerism has implemented a wasteful model in which products are discarded very quickly, either because they do not fulfill their function, they are not consumed on time and expire or are of poor quality.

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Types of consumerism

You can mention three general types of consumerism that are:

• Rational consumption: refers to the type of consumption of products and services that are necessary on a day-to-day basis.
• Experimental consumption: is the acquisition of new products or services that attract attention and are unknown.
• Suggested consumption: consumption of certain products from the credibility that reflects and exposes its advertising.
• Occasional consumerism: casual consumption of certain products or services according to a certain need.
• Impulsive consumption: occurs when the consumer is directly influenced by advertising and considers that they need such a product or service to feel better.

Causes of consumerism

There are several causes that encourage consumerism.The main causes are presented below.

• Advertising campaigns that encourage continuous consumption and, to the acquisition of goods and services.
• The need of people to reach a certain social status.
• The various fashion trends as part of the cultural expression of the society.
• Political systems that do not encourage responsible and conscious consumption.
• The production of products of low quality and short durability.
• Few incentives and policies product reuse and recycling.
• Some psychological pathologies such as emotional deficiencies, depression or anxiety, among others.
• Ease of acquisition of financial credits.

Effects of consumerism

Consumerism leads to a series of negative effects that are of paramount importance to all people in general.Below are the main effects of consumerism.

• Ecological imbalance and serious environmental damage due to excessive consumption of natural resources.
• Irregular distribution of economic resources in societies.
• Mismatch in the family budget.
• High levels of pollution.
• Stimulates the economy of countries with great industry potential.
• Adoption of foreign customs by consuming imported products on nationals.

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Adriana Morales

Bachelor of Arts from the Central University of Venezuela (2008), with a Master in Management and Cultural Policies (2016) and a diploma of Edition of books (2011).