Is Consumerism in USA a problem?
In this essay, you will take a very close look at the argument put forth in a given text. You will use knowledge about the following to address how effectively or not the text makes its case:
• Logic in arguments
• Questions of audience, purpose, etc
• Types of arguments [Rogerian, Toulmin, inductive/deductive, etc] –chapter 6
• Types of claims—fact, policy, value – chapter 1
• Types of appeals—logos, pathos, ethos
• Types of supports and evidence—facts, [expert] opinion, examples of various kinds, personal experience, observations
• Effectiveness and value of outside sources—evaluating reliability of outside
• Avoiding plagiarism
These are all subjects you are familiar with, and some of which we will need to develop additional skills and knowledge. One such area is to do some research to discover one source that helps you think about your own position further.
Topic: Is Consumerism in USA a problem?
Texts: Choose one of the following texts to analyze:
Mayfield, D. L. “God of the Shoplifters.” Christian Century, vol. 137, no. 10, May 2020, pp. 34–36. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=142756702&site=eds-live&scope=site
ANSWER
Consumerism in the United States
Consumerism is the idea of promoting and protecting consumers in the market. Its focus on incrementing the goods and services purchased in the market to achieve a goal where people are happy and their well-being catered for. Several scholars support the idea of consumerism, and others disapprove it citing various problems associated with it. There is huge division signifying inequality, which is shown by how prices are displayed in the food stores (Mayfield,35). For instance, in her essay called “The creation of Discontent,” Juliet Schor expresses her consumerism disapproval. She goes further to explains how the cycle of consumerism will not help us in the future. On the contrary, in the essay “In Defense of Consumerism,” written by Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr, Rockwell argues that consumerism is beneficial for many aspects of society, which contrasts with Schor’s beliefs. The way the authors portray their opinions allows the readers to be able to depict which arguments are more valid. The essay will explain whether consumerism is a problem in the united using the opinion of the two authors identified above.
The evidence presented by the authors shows various reasons why people should agree or disagree with the concept of consumerism in general. Rockwell gives a more valid opinion that shows how consumerism is not a problem in the nation. For instance, Rockwell believes consumerism promotes the lives of citizens and enables the government to progress in a positive direction. Hence, it ensures there are a longer life expectancy and economic growth in the united states. “To be against commerce is to attack life itself” (618). Without commerce, society would be corrupt. It would attack the life of people in the community because there would be no means of obtaining necessary goods. Schor bases her argument on the fact that consumerism has failed to make consumers happy. When the two authors’ reasons are studied individually, Rockwell’s logic is not only excessive in detail. Still, it is more convincing to the reader over Schor’s due to the content of the reason that impacts the reader’s life more.
The types of evidence used in both essays are strong in their way; however, Rockwell’s evidence allows for a better argument that defends consumerism. In the article, “In Defense of Consumerism,” Rockwell offers better types of evidence. For example, Rockwell uses evidence-based on real-life situations, contradicting Schor’s argument against unnecessary goods; Rockwell explains an instance in which these unnecessary goods are necessary. Rockwell explains, “If my grandchild is desperately sick, I want to get her to a doctor. The Urgent Care clinic is open late,…But it can only stay open late because its offices are nestled in a strip mall”(Rockwell 617). Rockwell explains consumerism based on real-life situations because consumerism lies within the confines of everyday life. Whereas the type of evidence that Schor uses is based on the experience of a small group of individuals. In the essay, Kroeger explains, “Wall Streeters are feeling poor on $600,00 a year” (Schor, 613). Consumerism can inflate the market and increase the value of the “dollar.” This ultimately leads to the people in society feeling unhappy.
In the shop “God of shoplifters,” the authors show the great division in the society, as a result of poverty. The luxury is left for the few people in the society, and there is no normalization. The situation in united states is worse than the period of great depression. The poor are not protected, and what they can afford is priced using a different color (Mayfield, 35). Rockwell’s arguments are more detailed, and based on real-life situations, Rockwell can relate more to the readers. Rockwell gives evidence of real-life situations that people encounter on a daily basis. Such as providing proof that consumerism improves life expectancy. Rockwell explains, “Consider life expectancy in the age of consumerism. Women in 1900 typically died at 48 years old, and men at 46. Today? Women live to 80, and men to 77” (Rockwell). When the audience of the essay read this, it is more personal because it corresponds to life. Schor’s essay also attempts to relate to the reader’s personal life, but on a less efficient level. Schor argues, “We do know that the increasing consumption of the last forty years has not made us happy” (612). Although it is arguable that happiness and life expectancy are controversial inequality, Rockwell also includes the argument of the economy. He argues that consumerism plays a direct role in the economy, which is another personal argument for the reader because it contributes to personal income. After reading both essays, the readers can conclude that Rockwell had more valid views than Schor. Schor’s main argument is that people will not be happy relying on consumerism.
The authors have different perspectives regarding the subject of consumerism. Rockwell portrays consumerism as a necessity for economic growth and longer life expectancy. Schor, on the other hand, characterizes consumerism as something that fails to make consumers truly happy. On the type of evidence used by both authors, Rockwell uses evidence-based on real-life situations in contrast to Schor using evidence-based on a small group of people’s experiences. Rockwell’s essay’s decisive factor is more persuasive than Schor’s because Rockwell’s essay relates more to the reader. Rockwell uses personal arguments such as economics for the middle class and how life expectancy is increased with consumerism. Schor’s main argument attempts to relate to the reader, arguing that consumerism does not produce happiness but fails to offer Rockwell’s level. Consumerism’s topic is strongly debatable due to the differences in opinions on the subject; however, Rockwell’s arguments are more valid than Schor’s due greatly to the personal effects the view has on society today.
The argument shows that consumerism is a not a problem in the United States but works on ensuring the welfare of the consumers and promoting economic development. Rockwell argument is backed by the acts enacted by the federal government to protect consumers’ all over the nation. The federal government enacted a trade commission with the objective of preventing businesses that are unjust, anticompetitive, and deceptive to consumers. The commission aims to educate consumers in the United States on their choices and help the general public understand the market’s competitive forces and processes. It achieves this by the use of technology where consumers fill out complaints online. Once an illegal action is reported, the formal investigation begins, and those culprits who are found guilty are prosecuted.
In summary, consumerism faces some problems, but they don’t outweigh the benefits. The steps taken to educate consumers have helped mitigate the problem and promote economic growth in the nation. Consumerism has helped the middle-class people, and life expectancy is boasted by consumerism in the United States, making an asset to the economy. However, it is arguable that happiness and life expectancy are controversial inequality. Rockwell includes the argument of the economy, which fits the debate and mitigates the problem. The forces of competition in the market forces organization from inflating the sales and focusing on wining the trust of consumers. He argues that consumerism plays a direct role in the economy, which is another personal argument for the reader because it contributes to personal income. Also, the government’s direct involvement in protecting consumers has boasted consumerism to progress in a positive direction.
Works cited
Mayfield, D. L. “God of the Shoplifters.” Christian Century, vol. 137, no. 10, May 2020, pp. 34–36.
Rockwell Jr, Llewellyn. “In Defense of Consumerism”. The Bedford Guide for College
Writers. 10th Ed. Eds. X.J Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Marcia F. Muth. New York: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2014. 615-618. Print.
Schor, Juliet. “The Creation of Discontent”. The Bedford Guide for College Writers. 10th
Ed. Eds. X.J Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Marcia F. Muth. New York: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2014. 612-614. Print.
