Consumerism

Consumption is an economic process associated with the satisfaction of the needs of agents. Not all consumption comes from the satisfaction of needs, since desires also produce consumption. From an economic point of view, it is common not to strictly distinguish between needs and desires. Consumption as such occurs in all economic systems.

Consumerism, on the other hand, is a characteristic of certain economic systems, in which production decisions are associated with the assumption that economic agents will work to obtain their income, above their strict consumption needs, and therefore will make decisions to be able to have a greater disposable income and increase their levels of personal satisfaction through consumption associated with the satisfaction of desires. It is considered that the term consumer society has been coined to designate societies where one of the population's main leisure activities is the acquisition of material goods or additional services, with which they satisfy their desires for social status or material satisfaction.

In so-called consumer societies, a certain number of individuals can develop compulsive buying disorder. For individuals who develop this disorder, the act of acquiring products and services that are within the reach of consumers and users becomes an act of abuse. Sometimes, consumerism is understood as excessive acquisition or purchasing, which associates purchasing with obtaining personal satisfaction and even personal happiness. In consumer societies, certain individuals are willing to work more hours and reduce the total number of hours of leisure, in exchange for higher salaries and incomes, which allow them to acquire a greater quantity of products and goods in less leisure time.

compulsive consumption

Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is a psychological disorder of impulse control, characterized by excessive worries related to purchases and by the irresistible urge to massively purchase superfluous objects, accompanied by feelings of anxiety, irritability or discomfort, and adverse consequences such as debt. After the momentary relief from engaging in the addictive behavior, the person experiences feelings of guilt. Most people with CBT meet the criteria for Axis II or personality disorders. In the United States, CBT is estimated to have a prevalence of 5.8% of the population, and approximately 80% of those affected are women and older adults.

The term consumerism, used by social agents who are in contact with the defense of the interests of consumers and users, such as consumer organizations, encompasses responsible, ethical and supportive consumption, which consists of consuming with responsible criteria, taking into account the history of the products we buy and the environmental and social repercussions of that consumption.

Sustainable consumption

The most accepted definition of Sustainable Consumption is that proposed at the Oslo Symposium in 1994 and adopted by the third session of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD III) in 1995: "The use of goods and services that respond to basic needs and provide a better quality of life, while minimizing the use of natural resources, toxic materials and emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle, in such a way that the needs of future generations are not put at risk."

Among the different interpretations and meanings of the concept, there are a series of common elements in all of them, which characterize Sustainable Consumption by:

The products and services used in this type of consumption are characterized by respect for the environment throughout the process, that is, in the components, manufacturing, packaging and transportation. Thus, Sustainable Consumption refers to a type of consumption that does not harm the environment or society. Likewise, the definition of Sustainable Consumption is close to that of Fair Trade, that is, it has to respect human rights, children's rights and indigenous cultures.

Cultural, social and economic influences have caused changes in lifestyles and consumer habits. In this sense, educating consumers through responsible consumption is important, that is, educating to collaborate by making reasonable use of services and good waste management for recycling. Education in responsible consumption aims to provide consumers with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to act responsibly.

The term Sustainable Consumption has its origins in Sustainable Development. Principle 8 of the United Nations Conference Report, a result of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (1992), reflects the link between development and Sustainable Consumption: “To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for their people, states must reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.” Hence the definition of Sustainable Consumption as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs” (a definition that has its origins in the Brundlant Report).

In Spain, organizations such as Facua-Consumidores en Acción and the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) have carried out campaigns in order to make citizens aware of the consequences that their habits can have in the future. These campaigns aim to promote changes in our habits as well as propose ethical and sustainability criteria in our purchases and attitudes.

Likewise, more and more agroecological conferences are taking place, the objective of which is to provide information on agroecology and responsible consumption issues. They also make known the different entities that operate within the framework of the solidarity economy and respect for the environment.

Consumerism

Consumption is an economic process associated with the satisfaction of the needs of agents. Not all consumption comes from the satisfaction of needs, since desires also produce consumption. From an economic point of view, it is common not to strictly distinguish between needs and desires. Consumption as such occurs in all economic systems.

Consumerism, on the other hand, is a characteristic of certain economic systems, in which production decisions are associated with the assumption that economic agents will work to obtain their income, above their strict consumption needs, and therefore will make decisions to be able to have a greater disposable income and increase their levels of personal satisfaction through consumption associated with the satisfaction of desires. It is considered that the term consumer society has been coined to designate societies where one of the population's main leisure activities is the acquisition of material goods or additional services, with which they satisfy their desires for social status or material satisfaction.

In so-called consumer societies, a certain number of individuals can develop compulsive buying disorder. For individuals who develop this disorder, the act of acquiring products and services that are within the reach of consumers and users becomes an act of abuse. Sometimes, consumerism is understood as excessive acquisition or purchasing, which associates purchasing with obtaining personal satisfaction and even personal happiness. In consumer societies, certain individuals are willing to work more hours and reduce the total number of hours of leisure, in exchange for higher salaries and incomes, which allow them to acquire a greater quantity of products and goods in less leisure time.

compulsive consumption

Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is a psychological disorder of impulse control, characterized by excessive worries related to purchases and by the irresistible urge to massively purchase superfluous objects, accompanied by feelings of anxiety, irritability or discomfort, and adverse consequences such as debt. After the momentary relief from engaging in the addictive behavior, the person experiences feelings of guilt. Most people with CBT meet the criteria for Axis II or personality disorders. In the United States, CBT is estimated to have a prevalence of 5.8% of the population, and approximately 80% of those affected are women and older adults.

The term consumerism, used by social agents who are in contact with the defense of the interests of consumers and users, such as consumer organizations, encompasses responsible, ethical and supportive consumption, which consists of consuming with responsible criteria, taking into account the history of the products we buy and the environmental and social repercussions of that consumption.

Sustainable consumption

The most accepted definition of Sustainable Consumption is that proposed at the Oslo Symposium in 1994 and adopted by the third session of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD III) in 1995: "The use of goods and services that respond to basic needs and provide a better quality of life, while minimizing the use of natural resources, toxic materials and emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle, in such a way that the needs of future generations are not put at risk."

Among the different interpretations and meanings of the concept, there are a series of common elements in all of them, which characterize Sustainable Consumption by:

The products and services used in this type of consumption are characterized by respect for the environment throughout the process, that is, in the components, manufacturing, packaging and transportation. Thus, Sustainable Consumption refers to a type of consumption that does not harm the environment or society. Likewise, the definition of Sustainable Consumption is close to that of Fair Trade, that is, it has to respect human rights, children's rights and indigenous cultures.

Cultural, social and economic influences have caused changes in lifestyles and consumer habits. In this sense, educating consumers through responsible consumption is important, that is, educating to collaborate by making reasonable use of services and good waste management for recycling. Education in responsible consumption aims to provide consumers with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to act responsibly.

The term Sustainable Consumption has its origins in Sustainable Development. Principle 8 of the United Nations Conference Report, a result of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (1992), reflects the link between development and Sustainable Consumption: “To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for their people, states must reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.” Hence the definition of Sustainable Consumption as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs” (a definition that has its origins in the Brundlant Report).

In Spain, organizations such as Facua-Consumidores en Acción and the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) have carried out campaigns in order to make citizens aware of the consequences that their habits can have in the future. These campaigns aim to promote changes in our habits as well as propose ethical and sustainability criteria in our purchases and attitudes.

Likewise, more and more agroecological conferences are taking place, the objective of which is to provide information on agroecology and responsible consumption issues. They also make known the different entities that operate within the framework of the solidarity economy and respect for the environment.