Is the USA a Materialistic, Individualistic and Hedonistic society ?

Answer 1

Yes to materialistic and individualistic, and I would add that we are extreme cases of these. Yes also to hedonistic, but I would say we are hedonistic compared to some societies but not most.

We are incredibly materialistic, and you can see that in the rates of consumption that we have. We spend lots of money on useless things simply to have the latest and greatest, regardless of whether they serve any function or not. I work with this girl (we make about $10 an hour... and we have college expenses to pay) who bought a $700 hand bag! That is insane! We also fetishize people who amass material things as well (Cribs? My Super Sweet Sixteen? C'mon!). We do this so much, that many people overwork themselves beyond what they would have to if they didnt buy so many cars, TVs, electronics, and clothes.

We are incredibly individualistic. There is no sense of the collective in the United States. This comes from our capitalist economy, whereby it is assumed that competition (whereby you outdo your fellows in any way you can, basically) is beneficial to society as a whole. You can see this in things like the Enron situation, where a group of individuals screwed over everyone else for their own personal gain.

You can also look at the health care system in the US, that is burdened by elderly people clinging on to life despite debilitating illness... increasing the cost of health care for everyone in the process... when their European counterparts would go home and spend their last days with dignity with their families rather than dying in a hospital bed around strangers.

Now, as for hedonism... I dont think we are more extreme than any other society except for maybe the Middle Eastern countries and probably less so than Japan and Europe (which are good analogs due to the fact that they are developed to the same degree that we are), due to the fact that religion still has a massive impact here. I think the media paints a distorted view of how most Americans are... most Americans dont engage in Paris Hilton-esque antics nor do they condone them.

Answer 2

I think that maybe a better way to put it would be that the USA is a capitalist society, and capitalism at times is each or all of those things. Most Americans subscribe to the Adam Smith "Wealth of Nations" school of capitalism, whether they know it or not, and one of Smith's main beliefs is that the individual must be free to choose what and how to spend money based on what he or she wants as an individual. In that sense, it's very individualistic. As for materialistic? I think capitalism thrives on the opportunity for somebody to choose to be a materialist. But for the question of individualist and materialist, I think it comes down to the individual. Some citizens of the US are very materialistic; I mean, do you really need 5 cars? 3 homes? But on the other hand, America as a nation gives more to charity than any other country in the world. So I think it comes down to the individual. You can't, i don't think, label the "USA" as anything. The US is made up of people, and each one may be different. As for if it is hedonistic, I think that's an entirely different question and is a matter of human nature, that all nations can be accused of in one way or another, as there is no firm definition of hedonism.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Materialistic? Yes.
Hedonistic? Only to the extent that people use drugs and alcohol to drown their sorrows.
Individualistic? You've got to be kidding!!! What do ALL employers demand of any prospective employee?? You MUST be a team player!!! Throughout the ages, individuals have been as rare as hens teeth; most people, women included, are pack animals, or as they say now-a-days, "team players".

Answer 4

Just like every other mainstream society, yes.

Answer 5

Indeed!

Answer 6

yes. (ask a yes/no question, get a yes/no answer).

Answer 7

You've got it.