consumerism
/kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈsuːmərɪzəm/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈsü-mə-ˌri-zəm -mər-ˌi-/ (ame, mw)
consumerism — noun
1. a condition in modern industrial economies where buying and selling products has
a condition in modern industrial economies where buying and selling products has become a central social and economic activity for a large part of the population
The rise of consumerism in the 20th century changed how people shop for everyday items.
the rise of + consumerism
Japan's post-war consumerism turned the country into a major market for imported luxury goods.
Young adults in large cities often grow up surrounded by a culture of consumerism.
The growth of consumerism created millions of jobs in retail and product delivery industries.
Some historians argue that consumerism helped drive the economic recovery after the Second World War.
- mass consumption
focuses on the act of consuming rather than the social system
- consumer culture
more specific to the cultural attitudes, slightly less formal
- market economy
broader term that includes production and trade, not just buying
- austerity
a society or period where spending is limited and goods are scarce
常見錯誤
2. a cultural situation in which people devote too much time and importance to shop
a cultural situation in which people devote too much time and importance to shopping for goods and accumulating possessions, often beyond what they truly need
Critics argue that modern consumerism encourages people to buy things they do not really need.
modern consumerism + encourages people to buy
The Sakura family chose to reject consumerism after they saw how much money they wasted.
A growing number of online videos question the effects of consumerism on personal happiness.
Farid felt overwhelmed by the consumerism around him during the holiday shopping season.
Many environmental groups blame consumerism for the growing amount of plastic waste in the oceans.
- materialism
focuses more on valuing possessions and wealth than on the act of buying
- overconsumption
emphasises using too many resources rather than the social pressure to buy
- commercialism
stresses the profit-driven aspect; often used in cultural criticism
- minimalism
a lifestyle choice to own fewer things, directly opposed to excessive buying
- frugality
the practice of careful, limited spending
用法筆記
Frequently appears with negatively charged adjectives such as 'rampant,' 'mindless,' or 'excessive.' Compare with sense 3, which treats the same idea from a neutral economic perspective.
常見錯誤
3. the economic idea that rising levels of consumer spending are good for a country
the economic idea that rising levels of consumer spending are good for a country's economy and should be encouraged by policy makers
According to consumerism theory, the best way to grow an economy is to encourage more spending.
theory of consumerism
Governments that follow consumerism often lower taxes to put more money in people's hands.
Dr. Okafor explains consumerism to his students as the economic view that spending drives production.
In the 1990s, many policymakers believed in consumerism as a sure path to national prosperity.
Some economists question whether consumerism can still work in a world with limited natural resources.
- demand-side economics
a broader framework that includes consumerism as one principle
- Keynesian consumption theory
more specific academic term for a related body of thought
- spending-led growth theory
a more descriptive modern term
- austerity economics
the opposing view that reducing spending and debt is the priority
用法筆記
Most common in academic writing and economic policy discussions. Rarely used in everyday conversation. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes a social condition rather than a theoretical position.
常見錯誤
4. a social and political movement that works for stronger legal rights and safety
a social and political movement that works for stronger legal rights and safety protections for people who buy goods and services
Consumerism gave rise to laws that protect buyers from unsafe products and misleading adverts.
consumerism gave rise to + laws
The consumerism movement of the 1960s pushed companies to list ingredients on food packaging.
the consumerism movement of the 1960s
Sofia joined a consumerism group that fights for fair prices on essential medicines.
Thanks to decades of consumerism, customers can now return faulty items and get their money back.
Leaders of the consumerism movement meet with lawmakers each year to discuss product safety rules.
- consumer advocacy
more specific to organised campaigning; slightly less broad in scope
- consumer protection
focuses on the legal and regulatory outcomes rather than the movement itself
- consumer activism
emphasises grassroots action and protest
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 — this sense describes a reform-oriented movement with a positive connotation. Often appears with 'movement,' 'advocacy,' 'laws,' or 'rights.'