THE TRAP OF MATERIALISM 1

Write your analysis based on materialism and consumerism

Name: Laiba Aqil

Roll no: BS_IAS_145_S_F18

Subject: Economics

Submitted to: Professor Noor Tariq

Date: December 31,2018

Punjab University
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Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that generally materialists are less happy than those lower in

materialism. Several studies confirm that people who experience a lower level of life satisfaction

are more interested in shopping therefore, materialism determines directly and indirectly. The

desire of going shopping. Study to date has directly examined the relationship between

materialism and creativity, the findings not only expand understanding of the influence of

materialism but also shed light on the mechanism underlying the linkage between materialism

and creativity. Materialism is defined as the importance an individual attach to worldly

possessions. Although studies have found that materialism has negative impact on well-being

and strengths of human.  Anyway, nuances should be considered regarding the role of money and

possession in bringing life satisfaction.

Analysis based on materialism and consumerism

Consumerism is the protection or promotion of the interests of consumers. Many people

are becoming increasingly conscious of the environment impact of consumerism. Advertising

campaign is the promotional activities developed in accordance with the marketing program and

aimed at consumers. Advertising promotes consumerism. It gave the same idea about the more

we consume the better our lives will be.

Materialism theory is the belief that nothing exists except matter and its movements and

modifications. There are many effects of consumerism but the most important is the effect on

environment by pollution and resources depletion. Consumerism is destroying our environment.

As the demand for goods increase, the need to produce these goods also increases. This

leads to more pollutant emissions, increased land use and deforestation and accelerated climate

change. Devastating effect on the plants water supplies. Water disposal is becoming a problem

worldwide our oceans r slowly becoming a giant waste disposal pit.

Our capacity for human behavior (as in ability to learn language, think, work, play etc.) is

latent and it grows as we mingle in society with other human beings only. Our concept of self

and our self-esteem is directly connected to our role in society. Also, our need fulfillment is

directly linked to our status in society. Materialism is our way to showcase what one has

achieved and therefore the status that one should be accorded. We live in a society where

material possessions are taking over our lives, we are glued to our phones and tablets, we kit out

our homes in the latest mod-cons, and we splurge on branded clothing and accessories, being

materialistic means you are chasing a never ending dream where you find happiness in the

products you buy rather than the moments of joy hat you should cherish, being materialistic is
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that you run with blinkered eyes towards success and money. This makes you lose sight of all the

everyday small things that have potential of giving you immense fulfilment and extreme

satisfaction.

Everything has advantages and disadvantages. There are many advantages of materialism

also. It easiest our life and make efficiency in work. Better life gets through cheap staffs that

everybody can afford. Through recycles the waste products, we get materials. wastes also gets

purified. we can store sun light and use to make our life easy by a solar system. Technology

easiest our life but persuades us to use it so we cannot ignore the disadvantages over advantages.

Society nowadays usually revolve around one’s social status. The misconception

that happiness can be increased by having more money and more material wealth is usually the

cause for one to be materialistic. To go more indebt about the causes of materialism, we need to

know the root of it. Research has proven that low self-esteem starting as early from childhood is

normally how materialism begins.

Researchers have found that low self-esteem and materialism are not just a correlation,

but also a causal relationship where low self-esteem increases materialism, and materialism can

also create low self-esteem Happiness is not about question of absolute wealth it’s a question of

relative wealth. In other word how relative to other people.

Every government is maximizing economic growth know that one of the easiest ways to

expand economy is to persuade people to spend more on consumerism. regardless how deep into

debt we get.

One person being less materialistic isn’t going to make a noticeable impact on the world,

but it is a start and will improve the life of that one individual. Once entire nations start to
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understand the myths about what really makes one happy, then maybe we still have a fighting

chance.

Threat is not terrorism its consumerism. More things provide more energy but also

creating more waste full products that destroy the environment. Taking the example of cars, it

easy our life but more fossil fuels are consumed as more cars are used by people, leading other

generations to face a shortage of these fuels. The consumption of fuels affecting ozone layer and

produce carbon dioxide in atmosphere.

So, it is obvious that we need to reduce consumerism and change our current lifestyles,

otherwise the planet we know will cease to exist. We are currently consuming resources at an

unsustainable rate, which is causing mass environmental destruction and social problems across

the world.

Make a change today by reducing materialistic possessions, increasing

recycling and raising awareness in your community.