Who defined the Consumers Republic?
Lizabeth Cohen’s
Lizabeth Cohen’s “A Consumers’ Republic” does much to explain how citizenship has been significantly redefined by consumerism in postwar America. The thoroughly readable book is full of insights and should interest all readers of 20th century American history.
What was Lizabeth Cohen’s thesis?
Put simply, Cohen’s overreaching thesis is that the way we buy shapes the way we understand ourselves as citizens. As Cohen maintains, “I am convinced that Americans after World War II saw their nation as the model for the world of a society committed to mass consumption…
What caused consumerism in the 1950s?
Consumer Demand Spurs Economic Growth. Rising incomes, easy credit, and aggressive marketing helped create a culture of consumption in the 1950s. Flush with cash, they were ready to go on a spending spree as soon as factories could convert from war production to consumer goods.
How did consumerism affect American society after ww2?
The increase in marriages and births after World War II led to a greater demand for homes and items for the home. In the first four years after the war, Americans moved into over one million new homes annually. Spending on furniture and appliances increased by 240%.
What do you mean by consumerism?
Consumerism is the idea that increasing the consumption of goods and services purchased in the market is always a desirable goal and that a person’s wellbeing and happiness depend fundamentally on obtaining consumer goods and material possessions.
Why do you think there was a rise in consumerism after World War 2?
At the end of World War II, American soldiers returned home to a country quite different from the one they had left four years earlier. Jobs were plentiful, wages were higher, and because of the lack of consumer goods during the war, Americans were eager to spend. …
Why was the economy so good in the 1950s?
One of the factors that fueled the prosperity of the ’50s was the increase in consumer spending. The adults of the ’50s had grown up in general poverty during the Great Depression and then rationing during World War II. When consumer goods became available in the post-war era, people wanted to spend.
How does consumerism help the economy?
Consumerism drives economic growth. When people spend more on goods/services produced in a never-ending cycle, the economy grows. There is increased production and employment which leads to more consumption. The living standards of people are also bound to improve because of consumerism.