Capitalism And Consumerism Of Society

capitalisticicic prudence And Consumerism Of SocietyPresent golf-club in the westward is modifyd by a capitalist stinting establishment that is founded on mystical ownership of berth and a profit driven economy. This economy has then produced few super rich mortals and further stratified the western caller, (Banish the bloated oerclass, p. 71). Capitalism is different to a lovingist economic system where ownership of property is by the state or commun totallyy (Shachtman, p.96). The profit driven economy encourages businesses and enterprises to exploit the market for the sole purpose of making a profit. The trade strategies of capitalist economy see therefore created a auberge of consumers whose benefit is done consumption on the individual level while the monetary simoleons go to the capitalists.Capitalism has created a society that consumer establish and the parvenu phenomenon has been labelled as consumerism. Consumerism has extended even into those argonas, whi ch were previously under state understand as opposed to be under the visualise of private corporations. These take on the health sector and education among former(a)s. The presence of numerous corporations which return all kinds of services and merchandise have expanded the resources easy to consumers. This has created socie plug intos, which atomic number 18 based on consumerism as opposed to the earlier societies, which were work based.A consumer society kindle be identified by the consumption habits of individuals while a work based societys identity lies in the citizenship and occupations of individuals, (Shachtman, p.101). In addition, the consumer society has evolved into a new culture, which has diverse and often contradicting principles to those of work and citizenship. Consequently, capitalists, emerge to maximum their taxation realization venture into global markets to exploit new markets. This leave behind at last lead to a single global culture based on cons umerism, and individual consumer patterns based on pagan uniqueness and opposite much(prenominal) factors pass on be eliminated. As capitalists devise new ways of maximizing their profits, the consumers in a society based on consumerism look for goods of steep quality and with the lowest cost. Consequently, both the consumers and the capitalists atomic number 18 non driven by genial function and do non try to deal with issues that argon created by capitalism and consumerism. societal responsibility is in the hands of the administration and the society b atomic number 18ly the culture of consumerism and capitalism encourages individualism as individually entity is in pursuit of its own goals without considering how nearly of these goals might be poignant others and the society in genera, (Shachtman, p.106).The nature of the western society made it executable to be targeted for consumer society. A society dependable of egocentricity, deceptive advertising, nihilis m, and values subjectivism to schoolman goals is easier to sway to the path of consumerism. In such a society where economic growth is the alone important thing to any individual and has the capabilities and the ply to displace or degrade moral values as we traditionally knew them, the gauge of self expense is always spoiling power. Those in a position to buy and own property have a to a greater fulfilment rein forced worth in a society upholding consumerism. The contribution of the media send away non be ignored as it continues to create an image which e rattlingone in the western society tries to fit in thus distorting the self worth and self awareness of each person. It is the goal of every capitalist to relieve oneself a large television audience into identification of his personality with specifically designed consumer ideas and advertising fantasies. We no long-acting possess the ability to do our things independent of consumerism justification. Advertising duplicity and consumerism are now potential threats to the individuation process and conscious(p)ness regardless of continued linking of capitalism to the beginning of consciousness. Social cultural meaning diminishes as it is exploited further by media which siphons indescribable content in order to attract much consumers.The ability to control consumption gives most capitalists the power to influence the evolvement of different consumption patterns over time. They employ different but simple mechanisms like the compact of a simpler life. The end result is a consumer revolution which in turn forced a relevant reaction in terms of information, communication and engineering science leading to even more merchandise of goods and services. The goods which result from this high ware forces the capitalist society to convince more tidy sum to consume goods and alters the rudimentary institution through generation of new ideologies for pleasure. A completely new description of pleasure ca n besides result. One of the major driven back of capitalism and consumerism is witnessed at times of economic crisis. The capitalist system has been able to solve the entire crisis but considerably harming the environment especially when we consider the waste created and the resources utilized.A consumer culture is exploitative, both indirectly and indirectly. employment of goods and services involves spending silver, which is not equally ready(prenominal) across a society that is founded on capitalism. Considering that most resources are not infinite, there mustiness be mechanisms that ensure that they rationed. In this context, consumption does not allow full choice for all individuals but only to those who have the purchasing power, (could you present to be poor, p. 75). This agent that vital services under the control of capitalist structures are not accessible to those who cannot dedicate them. Scott, (2005) states that good medical consider and education is not acce ssible to the poor meaning that pack in unwarranted their lives if they do not have the money to have their illnesses fixed. This brings in the question of whether these divisions should only be for the crocked or should be available for all. In this regard, consumerism culture may work more towards protecting the possessions of the smashed through a consumerism culture, which is divisive in nature.The illusion that consumerism puts forward is that of choice for all, which is an effective way of ensuring that the deprived do not harbor sentiments that the capitalist system is short charging them. Consumerism therefore divides the haves from the have-nots and further stratifies the society. In the seek passing to essentials CEOs vs. Slaves, the author notes the wide margins in terms that exist between the capitalist and consumers, noting that CEOs earn as much as 260% more that the third highest executive, (p. 70). The essay further notes that billionaires, created by capitali sm exploit the labor market by subjecting employees to slave-like working conditions with a peanut salary. As much as consumer goods are available across the society, only those who have the money to purchase give benefit. This, according to Karl Marx, is the root of most societal problems, which arise from controlled consumption beca consumption of poverty.In a consumerism culture, individuals are motivated by the ability to acquire what they desire. This is not an obstacle for those who can afford it, but for the poor, it is continuous challenge to guard up with consumerism. Although this culture may make products, especially technology readily available in the market, those whose purchasing power is limited get out not have access. Technology like PCs, hi-tech communication devices such as phones, LCD TVs and so forth remain unobtainable to the poor. The resulting economic discrimination serves only to paint a dreary future for the affected economies. As the rich gain more c ontrol and the poor are unexpended with fewer alternatives, the policy-making hierarchy in turn adheres to these policies which violate the normally held ideas regarding peaceful coexistence and human rights resulting to a self propagating system of exploitation. The corporate capitalist view the consumer only as a target and only get on on factors which control interests thus altering culture putting this up for sale is always made easier by the media advertising. Although there exists some constitutional guarantees, the corporate capitalist anyway subjects the public to economic and political systems which only exploit the rights of the many to the benefits of the few. The major contributors are always the movers of government policies which results to political agenda based on their cravings.This inability to access what they desire will lead individuals, especially those from poor backgrounds to engage in all modality of crimes in order to afford what they want. Juvenile bu rglary, drug peddling and harlotry are some crimes that are associated with people from poor backgrounds. Individuals driven by what they want will engage in activities, which violate the rights of others just to have enough power to purchase commodities. Just like the elite and the wealthy who own the manufacturing and distributing franchises and are solely driven by maximizing their profits, the consumers are driven by the ability to purchase as much as they can. This individuality, by the capitalists and the consumers alike, often infringe on the rights of others and over exploit available resources to achieve individual ends.Capitalist engage in unethical practices in order to maximum their revenue. In a society that is progressively being interpreted up by the consumerism culture, the capitalists are confront with stiff tilt as many more industries and companies come up to get their conduct of the profits. This creates an atmosphere of intense competitiveness among the cap italists who want to attract and retain a bigger market share. In order to this, they need to advertise their goods so that they are widely recognized by the consumers. Consequently, most of these advertisements are shoddy to the consumer who in the end is unable to make an informed decision about(predicate) the quality of the goods or services. A good subject is the Macdonalds fast fodder kitchen range, which previously advertised meals as healthy for children. This statement had to be rewrite when it was established that the meals so called healthy were responsible for childhood obesity, not to make other lifestyle diseases that are rooted in the consumption of oily food. Therefore, the capitalists not only exploits the consumer by providing sub-standard goods, but may also provide false information, which may ultimately pose a serious risk of infection to the health, life and overall well-being of the consumer.Every individual in the society has the capability of selling his or her labor products. Capitalist mode of production does not support this system. All what they need is a disjointed tie between producers and the means they make use of for production. This simply means that, the peasant farmers to loose their farms, artisans and constructors to loose their tools among other means to deny these people access. With deprived access, these people have no choice but to seek those who have the means of production to use their land and tools and in return gain some wages. The means of production is therefore the ultimate control as it gives you the opportunity to control the goods produced which are in turn bought by back by the same people who labor to produce them. The gap between the two groups is widened as the laborers are turned once again into consumers and the money taken back by those who own the means of production. They just lend you the money for sometime but they own it.Consumerism has also led to environmental humiliation in so ma ny ways. In order to meet the demands of consumers in such a society, and in a world where resources are increasingly becoming depleted, manufactures will look for alternative sources of raw materials in other countries or localities. After they have exhausted the resources, they will move on to the next stop, without concern of how their activities are affecting the environment. In Hardings, (2001), before you fill out eating breakfast this morning, he cites the production of rubber, which has led to extensive disforestation in Thailand, which has consequently resulted to increased urbanization. It is no wonder, that the issue of global calefacient has become a worrying reality to many governments around the world. world(prenominal) warming has led to climatic changes, whose cause are felt more by people in the developing countries. This is because most of them rely on agriculture and the major source of GDP and unpredictable weather cycles, droughts as well as floods means th at agriculture can no longer be relied on for national revenue. Developing countries are constantly faced with food shortages and global warming has worsened the situation.Global warming is also caused by industry emissions, which destroy the Ozone layer in the atmosphere. Global warming is deeply rooted in industrialization, which in itself was fueled by capitalism and later consumerism. The means used to obtain these resources further destroys the environment. Harding, (2001) notes, tuna from Somalia is fished utilise explosives, which destroys the coastal eco system. Bananas obtained from the Dominican Republic are grown using chemic fertilizer, which destroys the soil balance.Consumerism and capitalism are enemies of the people. Behind the fancy advertisements, symbolic values, and the promise of merchandise lays their true value characterized and driven by profit making. It is a mechanism by which big businesses ensure continued buying by the consumers not only aimed at prof it making. Obsession with consumerism coarsens the moral reference to a state where the society no longer up holds tradition, but allows itself to be oppressed by structures of consumerism and credit obligations. Consumerism is nothing but a myth meant top make those who believe in it that they can enliven all their needs only through consuming. Cultural fulfillment and social obligations are sacrificed in the altar of gratification associated with owning property and buying goods. The justness is, this gratification is short lived and adds joy for a short moment to those who cal afford to gratify this need and leads to sadness to those who can not afford to blood line this need. However, this gratification deprives us the overall fulfillment of other important cultural mythologies. When culture is commercialized, there is always a lot to loose in terms of digd reality. Our perception looses its depth, richness and periphery.For these, and other negative reasons that are associ ated with capitalism and the consumerism culture, it is imperative for the society to take action sooner than later in order to avoid inflicting permanent damage to the society fabric and the environment, which sustains it. Capitalism has created a materialistic society based on individual gratification without much thought of the impact on other people, cultures and environment. much(prenominal) individual gratification has facilitated societal evils such as human trafficking drug trafficking, prostitution and forms of crimes.To begin with, changing the consumerism culture in western society is not going to be an easy task, and will definitely not happen overtime. This culture is so ingrained in western societies to the extent that it is now second nature. A more difficult task will be changing the mentality of capitalism from profit realization to moral and social responsibility.Presently, there are groups and movements that are emerging which set an example in the way to change the consumerism culture in American people. The social groups and movements engage in activities such as garbage bin hunting. These people scour dustbins in supermarkets and hotels to get food that has been thrown away but is not spoilt. The foods included canned foods and encase vegetables, which are thrown out simply because they have minor blemishes. This may seem like an extreme method but it is sending the message to society. That wastage leads to depletion of resources, in addition to denying them to other people who need them.Achieving change is not a task that can be accomplished by one element in this chain of capitalism and consumerism. To begin with, the government should establish policies and guidelines that will ensure that resources are not exploited or depleted. Secondly, the government should also tighten regulations that will protect the environment from abuse by unscrupulous capitalists. Current measures are not effective, evidenced in the current BP oils spill in the Mexican Gulf, which is threatening marine life over a large area. With these guidelines by and punitive measures incase they are violated the society will be ready to begin the journey towards self-transformation without the use of extreme means that characterize revolutions.However, this kind of change can only begin when the society becomes scrupulous about the damage of their current habits and their long-term effects. People may perceive consumerism as a convenient lifestyle where they are able to buy anything to make life easier. However, people should realize that this convenience has adverse effects on the freedoms of others and the environment. Industries should also become more conscientious, and ensure that they do not destroy the very environment that makes their businesses possible in a call off to make quick profits. The industry should acknowledge their moral and social responsibility and ensure that their practices are environmental friendly, do not exploit r esources or the market. This can be achieved through civic education of the industry circumspection on safe practices as well as the consumers on how to downplay waste and consider how the products they choose to buy are affecting others. This manifestation is demonstrated by the current campaign being made for the use kilobyte products.In the background of global warming that is threatening the very existence of planet earth, numerous campaigns have been launched that admonish individuals to become environmentally conscious. This movement is referred to as the dark- young revolution where society is going green and demanding only those products that are manufactured in ways that do not harm the environment. The green movement is making progress, as manufactures and merchandisers are compelled to use products and processes that do not destroy the already fragile environment. Even for those who are reluctant to make changes, they have no alternative, as the environmental conscio us consumer will simply shun purchasing such products. The effectiveness of the green revolution has been great, and consumers should subsequently step up the movement by demanding more products to go green or else loose their market. Products that have gone green include foodstuff, clothing, technology, which includes phones and computers, furniture, toys and even cars. Everyone in the society can contribute to the green revolution by encouraging recycling, avoiding wasteful buying especially packaged food and the use of recyclable goods.