Opinions about Affluenza.
2007-09-15 05:53:00 · 6 answers · asked by Tiger 2 in Social Science ➔ Economics
Consumerism is a byproduct of capitalism and the American Dream is all about capitalism. It used to be that the dream was you work hard and make something of yourself. Now, it's you win a big lawsuit or the lottery (the work hard part has gone missing). But regardless, the idea is that you get to the top so you can ??? I don't think the end point was ever about philanthropy - it's always been about buying stuff. It may be cynical and / or horrifying that leaders in the U.S. encourage folks to buy stuff as their patriotic duty. But that's what keeps capitalism going. So we are all being sold Consumerism as a way of life, but don't you think it's just in the service of the capitalist way of life? So, I guess I'd have to agree that without Consumerism, the U.S. would not be what it is today. Without Consumerism, it would potentially be a whole lot better.
2007-09-15 06:16:42 · answer #1 · answered by senlin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's no so much consumerism as a desire for possessions. There's a saying, "the man who dies with the most toys wins." Possessions and money equal power in America. Look at the difference between the ways celebrities who commit crimes are treated v ordinary citizens. Still, the most important part of the American dream is the opportunity to use our talents to achieve our goals. This, despite what others may say, is not dead.
2007-09-19 03:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's remember that Marx coined the word 'Capitalism' around 1848, and our founding fathers were not all rich. And, there really wasn't a lot you could spend your money on in those days. After trying to drum up support for a privately funded public educational system, Jefferson died poor.
So, the dream may have not been consumerism in the beginning. But it soon became that way. The huge land grants made a upper lower class of high wage, independent farmers that began feeding industry and commerce, likely sometime after the civil war.
2007-09-15 14:12:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think consumerism was intended to be part of the American Dream, while living, working, and saving responsibly probably was the initial intention. But once extreme wealth amalgamated with the "ingenious", there was no stopping of "inventions" and the "necessities" the wealthy thought we would always have for them.
2007-09-15 07:13:22 · answer #4 · answered by mybusiness2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the girl above me. That's probably your dream, but the dream our country was founded on was not THAT. I agree though, without consumerism our country would not be what it is today, and that's in debt. Loads and loads and loads of debt, getting fatter by the minute.
2007-09-15 06:06:41 · answer #5 · answered by Atlas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consumerism is not the American dream. Our government and their corporate allies want you to believe it is. You've fallen for their marketing ploy.
The American dream is to be free to pursue your goals and have the capability to achieve them without undue government interference.
2007-09-15 06:03:43 · answer #6 · answered by hwinnum 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋