Each volume in the Contemporary Issues Companion series provides readers with a wealth of information on topics of current interest. Focusing on important social issues, each anthology examines its subject in a variety of ways, from personal statistical articles to the most relevant commentaries and overview. Every essay is introduced with a brief summary of its main points and biographical information about the author, while the book's introduction presents a broad overview of the issues...
Each volume in the Contemporary Issues Companion series provides readers with a wealth of information on topics of current interest. Focusing on important social issues, each anthology examines its subject in a variety of ways, from personal statistical articles to the most relevant commentaries and overview. Every essay is introduced with a brief summary of its main points and biographical information about the author, while the book's introduction presents a broad overview of the issues discussed. A perfect resource for both students and the general reader, the Contemporary Issues Companion series is sure to be a valued source of current and readable information.
Foreword 9Introduction 12Consumerism and SocietyThe Development of Consumerism Peter N. Stearns 18Anticonsumerism Is Not a New Phenomenon Kim Humphery 29Consumerism Has a Negative Impact on Society Ron Scherer 36The Rewards of Avoiding Consumerism Lisa Leff 41Consumerism May Be the Religion of Our Time Julian Baggini 45The Impact of Consumerism on HumansConsumerism Affects Health John de Graaf David Wann Thomas H. Naylor 50Consumer Capitalism Induces Childishness Benjamin R. Barber 61Advertising Links Identity with Consumerism Dinyar Godrej 73The Culture of Consumption May Cause Psychological Harm Michael McCarthy 80Consumerism and the Global EconomyTurning the Poor into Consumers Is Not the Answer to Poverty Vandana Shiva 87Consumerism in Japan's Stagnant Economy Victoria James 94Charitable Consumerism Is Flawed Julie Hollar 100Consumerism and the EnvironmentLand Should Not Be Destroyed in the Name of Freedom and Opportunity Wendell Berry 112Environmental Degradation Is Fueled by Consumption Hillary Mayell 120Consumerism Has Benefited the Environment John A. Charles Jr. 125Energy Scarcity Will Change the Way We Consume James Howard Kunstler 128Personal Perspectives on ConsumerismKicking the Consumerism Habit Is Not Easy Wendee Holtcamp 142Freegans Make a Statement by Living Off the Waste of Millions Becca Tucker 148A Green Alternative to Consumerism Sian Berry 156A Buddhist Perspective on Consumerism Judith Simmer Brown 160Organizations to Contact 167Bibliography 172Index 176