What is Consumerism?
Consumerism refers to a system where economic success and personal well-being are closely tied to the constant purchase of goods and services. It is not the same as consumption. Consumption is necessary—we all need food, shelter, and basic resources. Consumerism, however, is ideological; it promotes the idea that more buying leads to more happiness, success, or status. In a consumerist culture, products are rarely presented as neutral or useful objects. Instead, they are framed as solutions to emotional or social needs: confidence, status, or self-expression. Historically, consumerism expanded rapidly after the Industrial Revolution and especially after World War II, when governments and corporations encouraged consumption to support economic growth. Over time, buying goods became more than an economic activity. It became a cultural practice, shaping desires, habits, and expectations about a “good life.” Why is Consumerism so Dominant Today? Consumerism thrives today because it is supp...