What is consumer culture?

Consumer culture describes a lifestyle hyper-focused on spending money to buy material goods. It is often attributed to, but not limited to, the capitalist economy of the United States. During the 20th century, market goods came to dominate American life, and for the first time in history, consumerism had no practical limits.

How is consumer culture different from consumption?

Consumer culture can be distinguished from consumption per se, insofar as it is more about the relationship between the material and the cultural rather than the status and inequalities implied by the ownership of consumer goods. In this sense consumer culture is not simply a process by which commercial products are “used up” by consumers.

What is a central feature of consumer culture?

A central feature of consumer culture is the proliferation of material goods. While people in all societies use material goods, their production, exchange, and circulation are usually limited and surrounded by strong rules and rituals.