Alternative Forms of Consumption with Regard to Consumerism Cover Image

Alternatywne formy konsumpcji wobec konsumpcjonizmu
Alternative Forms of Consumption with Regard to Consumerism

Author(s): Felicjan Bylok
Subject(s): Supranational / Global Economy, Economic development
Published by: Instytut Badań Rynku, Konsumpcji i Koniunktur
Keywords: consumption; consumerism; consumption culture; anticonsumption;

Summary/Abstract: There is a multitude of varying theories to be found in literature in terms of approaches relating to the direction of the development of consumption. Some of them perceive consumerism and the culture of consumption as the driving forces of contemporary consumption, while others indicate the social movements of consumers in the pursuit of the restriction of over-consumption. The principal aim of this paper is a description of the alternative forms of consumption with regard to hyperconsumption stimulated by the ideology of consumerism. The realisation of the assumed aim was rendered possible thanks to the application of the method of critical analysis of both national and international literary sources with reference to consumption. As a result of research, various alternative forms of undertakings have been indicated which restrict the impact of the ideology of consumerism in terms of consumer decisions. The anti-consumption movement has been illustrated as a counterbalance to consumerism. The practical implications of the research run are the indication of the two contrasting directions of the development of consumption, namely the increased consumption of goods to satisfy higher level needs and the growing significance of the attitudes and behaviour associated with the restriction of consumption. However, the social implication of the paper is an emphasis of the significance of the forms of alternative consumption in terms of the development of consumption itself.

  • Issue Year: 361/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 63-77
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish