consumerism

Consumerism is a social and economic order that promotes the pursuit of goods and services as a central aspect of life and status. It encompasses a market system in which production is organized around demand and a cultural tendency toward acquiring possessions. The term also refers to movements that seek consumer protections and safety in the marketplace.

Historical roots lie in industrialization, mass production, advertising, department stores, and credit in the 19th and 20th centuries. After World War II, rising incomes and mass media reinforced demand for appliances, fashion, and services, embedding consumerism in many capitalist economies.

Key mechanisms include advertising, branding, planned obsolescence, and the growth of online platforms that personalize offers. Consumption is a major driver of GDP and employment, yet it is not a complete measure of well-being.

Impacts: economic benefits coexist with social and environmental costs. Increased consumption can raise living standards and opportunity, but it can fuel debt, waste, pollution, and inequality. Critics call for sustainability, regulation, and shifts toward more durable goods and services.

In the digital era, e-commerce and data-driven marketing intensify access and targeting, while raising privacy and concentration concerns. Debates about consumerism intersect with sustainability, consumer rights, and alternatives such as sharing economies and steady-state approaches.