Globalization and Consumer culture

Globalization and Consumer culture

1. Globalization

   • Can be defined as the expansion and interconnection of all countries in the world specially economically.
   • Characteristics
     • Free flow of goods and services between countries.
     • Creation of an environment for flow of capital and investment among countries.
     • Free flow of technology from one country to another.
     • Free movement of labor among countries.
   • Advantages
     • Allows for better comunication
     • Encourages more employment opportunities
     • Encorages free trade
     • Could increase revenues.
   • Disadvantages
     • Could cause people to loose their identity
     • Could harm the environment
     • The wealthy would have the most influence.

2. Consumer culture

   • Focuses on the spending of money from the people or consumer for the acquisition of things.
   • Characteristics
     • Driven by money
     • Large part of what you do, what you value and how you are defined revolves around your consumption of stuff.
     • Oriented to purchase
   • Advantages
     • Could indicate a strong economy
     • Improve the economy
     • Could make some people happier
   • Disadvantages
     • Exacerbates class divisions
     • Encourages wasteful behaviour
     • Leads to overproduction
     • Harms the environment