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Everything about Consumerism

Acquisition of goods beyond essential needs

Consumerism is a socio-cultural and economic phenomenon in which the aspirations of many individuals include the acquisition of goods and services beyond those necessary for survival or traditional displays. In contemporary consumer society, the purchase and the consumption of products have evolved beyond the mere satisfaction of basic human needs, transforming into an activity that is not only economic but also cultural, social, and even identity-forming. It emerged in Western Europe and the United States during the Industrial Revolution and became widespread around the 20th century. In economics, consumerism refers to policies that emphasize consumption. It is the consideration that the free choice of consumers should strongly inform the choice by manufacturers of what is produced and how, and therefore influence the economic organization of a society. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: ConsumerismA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: Green consumerism, green perceived value, and restaurant revisit intention: Millennials' sustainable consumption with moderating effect of green perceived qualityInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: American PsychoThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: Self-Identity and the Theory of Planned Behavior: Assesing the Role of Identification with "Green Consumerism"Cited 877 times
  5. Go sideways: Anti-consumerismA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: HyperconsumerismA closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun A materialistic attachment to possessions with a heavy use of consumables; a lifestyle based on such tendencies.

Noun An economic theory that increased consumption is beneficial to a nation's economy in the long run.

Noun A policy or social movement of protecting and informing consumers through honesty in advertising and packaging, as well as improved safety standards, among other measures.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Evolution of the term
  2. History
  3. Criticism

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics