Comments on: On the Origins of Consumerism http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/on-the-origins-of-consumerism/ The MBA Graduate Program at Cal Poly Tue, 22 May 2012 21:53:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Frederick Peemoeller http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/on-the-origins-of-consumerism/#comment-17790 Frederick Peemoeller Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:48:36 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2338#comment-17790 The consumerism in India is completely normal for a country that is reaping the benefits of a growing economy. The standard of living will get better for many Indians, and it only makes sense that they take advantage of the situation. With that said, I agree with John and do not believe that consumerism will ever be as widespread and out of hand as it is in America. I believe that products will be bought to make their lives easier, but there won't be a need for 5 dollar throwaway watches, shoe horns, back scratchers, stress balls, or any other worthless product that is produced overseas and consumed in the masses in our beloved country. The consumerism in India is completely normal for a country that is reaping the benefits of a growing economy. The standard of living will get better for many Indians, and it only makes sense that they take advantage of the situation. With that said, I agree with John and do not believe that consumerism will ever be as widespread and out of hand as it is in America. I believe that products will be bought to make their lives easier, but there won’t be a need for 5 dollar throwaway watches, shoe horns, back scratchers, stress balls, or any other worthless product that is produced overseas and consumed in the masses in our beloved country.

]]> By: John Barry http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/on-the-origins-of-consumerism/#comment-17547 John Barry Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:58:02 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2338#comment-17547 I do not foresee India falling into the same problems with consumerism that us in America seem to struggle with. In a nation of over a billion people it's clear that cases of "living above one's means" will continue to emerge left and right. India, however, unlike America, is quite familiar with "lean periods," and is not a nation of people known for splurgling but rather one known for frugality and careful spending practices. As the amount of Indians seen on the streets with luxury automobiles and upscale fashions increases then too will the acceptance of this practice. With so many more Indians finding financial success than in years past, consumerism is clearly going to become a more prevalent trend, but never to the extent that it has become in America. We Americans not only value the sorts of things that lead to consumerism more, but we are also the wealthiest nation in the history of mankind. If I'm wrong though, and consumerism does catch on in India to the extent that it has here, it will be a potentially great thing for their economy. I do not foresee India falling into the same problems with consumerism that us in America seem to struggle with. In a nation of over a billion people it’s clear that cases of “living above one’s means” will continue to emerge left and right. India, however, unlike America, is quite familiar with “lean periods,” and is not a nation of people known for splurgling but rather one known for frugality and careful spending practices. As the amount of Indians seen on the streets with luxury automobiles and upscale fashions increases then too will the acceptance of this practice. With so many more Indians finding financial success than in years past, consumerism is clearly going to become a more prevalent trend, but never to the extent that it has become in America. We Americans not only value the sorts of things that lead to consumerism more, but we are also the wealthiest nation in the history of mankind. If I’m wrong though, and consumerism does catch on in India to the extent that it has here, it will be a potentially great thing for their economy.

]]> By: Emily Schaapveld http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/on-the-origins-of-consumerism/#comment-17523 Emily Schaapveld Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:09:00 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2338#comment-17523 Erika raised an interesting comparison between consumption of what she calls basic comforts and consumption of luxurious items simply for differentiation. We all buy things that we do not need and for different reasons. Mostly though, the standards have simply evolved for the middle class. Do we all need cell phones? Well, if nobody had one and it was not the standard, then no, but the fact of the matter is that everyone has one, so you would be differentiating yourself by not having one. Do we consider having one car to be over-consumption in the U.S? No, most might even consider having just one car as limiting consumption. Like Erika said, maybe the reason Indian consumption habits seem ostentatious is because access to those products is relatively new in the India market and they have not become standard...yet. Erika raised an interesting comparison between consumption of what she calls basic comforts and consumption of luxurious items simply for differentiation. We all buy things that we do not need and for different reasons. Mostly though, the standards have simply evolved for the middle class. Do we all need cell phones? Well, if nobody had one and it was not the standard, then no, but the fact of the matter is that everyone has one, so you would be differentiating yourself by not having one. Do we consider having one car to be over-consumption in the U.S? No, most might even consider having just one car as limiting consumption. Like Erika said, maybe the reason Indian consumption habits seem ostentatious is because access to those products is relatively new in the India market and they have not become standard…yet.

]]> By: Jeff Severn http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/on-the-origins-of-consumerism/#comment-17502 Jeff Severn Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:25:44 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2338#comment-17502 I don't think think consumerism is bad per se. I think it is driven by marketing efforts in many cases, but it's also a choice someone has. Do they spend their time making dinner or do they go out to eat. Do they spend time hand washing their clothes or take them to the laundromat, do they make their own soap from readily available materials or buy it already made. This is what Dr. York called outsourcing your life. What do you want to spend your life doing? If you have a well paying job I'm sure in many cases, you would take the path of leisure instead of work. I don’t think think consumerism is bad per se. I think it is driven by marketing efforts in many cases, but it’s also a choice someone has. Do they spend their time making dinner or do they go out to eat. Do they spend time hand washing their clothes or take them to the laundromat, do they make their own soap from readily available materials or buy it already made. This is what Dr. York called outsourcing your life. What do you want to spend your life doing? If you have a well paying job I’m sure in many cases, you would take the path of leisure instead of work.

]]> By: Erika Bylund http://calpolymbatrip.com/2010/india/on-the-origins-of-consumerism/#comment-17450 Erika Bylund Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:35:58 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=2338#comment-17450 I do think there is some merit in the claim that the growth of Indian consumerism is tied to the growing need of the masses to differentiate themselves. But at the same time, I think a certain level of material comfort is pursued simply for the sake of that comfort and not for the primary purpose of differentiation from the masses. India's middle class is growing. As incomes grow, people can afford what I would call basic comforts- several outfits, a few more pairs of shoes, a phone to communicate, a car to travel, etc. I think that a purchase needs to be conspicuously ostentatious and luxurious, beyond functionality, to be considered consumption for differentiation. While such purchases by the up-and-coming Indian middle class might seem ostentatious because the masses suffer such abject poverty, in India, there are some very basic consumer good that just appear flashy because they are new or modern. I do think there is some merit in the claim that the growth of Indian consumerism is tied to the growing need of the masses to differentiate themselves. But at the same time, I think a certain level of material comfort is pursued simply for the sake of that comfort and not for the primary purpose of differentiation from the masses. India’s middle class is growing. As incomes grow, people can afford what I would call basic comforts- several outfits, a few more pairs of shoes, a phone to communicate, a car to travel, etc. I think that a purchase needs to be conspicuously ostentatious and luxurious, beyond functionality, to be considered consumption for differentiation.

While such purchases by the up-and-coming Indian middle class might seem ostentatious because the masses suffer such abject poverty, in India, there are some very basic consumer good that just appear flashy because they are new or modern.

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