A History of Consumerism In The United States Essay

A History of Consumerism In The United States - Essay Example According to Professor Peter Stearns at George Mason University a reasonable shorthand definition of modern consumerism can be given stressing two distinct features: "1) a serious commitment to the acquisition, display, and enjoyment of goods and commercial services clearly not necessary to subsistence however generously defined, and 2) participation in the process by social groups outside the upper classes." (Stearns 2003, para. 5). These definitions are very important to consider as they shed light upon the use of the term "consumerism" in the present essay about the history of consumerism in the United States. In order to study the history of consumerism in the United States two different approaches will be taken. First, the rise of consumerism in the United States will be seen from a general point of view emphasizing some philosophical and ideological aspects of consumerism in modern society. Second, a brief history of consumerism in the United States will be undertaken under a chronological point of view making emphasis on some relevant dates and cornerstones of consumer culture in the United States up to the present. All along the way certain significant features of consumerism in the United States will be taken into account in order to give a broader idea of the implications and causations of consumerism in the United States.1 As consumerism and globalization are closely interlinked, it is necessary to understand the present interactions of both in the United States. History Of Consumerism In The United States The rise of consumerism in the United States has been a steady process along the years, especially throughout the twentieth century around World War I. Charles Kettering, from General Motors, put it simply this way: "The key to economic prosperity is the organised creation of dissatisfaction". (FAIR n. d.). In the first quarter of the twentieth century in the United States there were technological advances that helped to enhance production processes. There was overproduction, and consumers couldn't afford what was being produced at such a high pace. A little earlier, back in 1907, economist Simon Nelson Patten had said: "the new morality does not consist in saving, but in expanding consumption". (FAIR n. d.). So the creation of "the dissatisfied consumer" was a necessity of those times. Time passed by and after World War II a new boom period promoted consumerism in the United States. During the sixties with the Hippies and the seventies with the petroleum crisis the consumer habits were strongly questioned. The bold statement by Jimmy Carter in 1979 against consumerism has been pinpointed as one of the reasons for his loss to Ronald Reagan for the Presidency of the United States. It is interesting to note that consumption patterns soared immediately after the Reagan Administration took office. Throughout this period the widespread use of new marketing techniques for the creation of need has been a prominent sign of the times. The rise of cons

Sports Arbitration Cases and their Practical Compliance with the Code Essay

Sports Arbitration Cases and their Practical Compliance with the Code of Ethics for Arbitrators in Commercial Disputes - Essay Example One prominent and lingering case was of the Major League Baseball's (MLB) and the Major League Umpires Association in 1999 arbitrated by Alan Symonette, chosen by both parties. The case, filed in 1999 with actual hearing from December 13 to August 29, 2000 took months for the working out of legal papers as Symonette wrote his 100-page decision. Both parties expressed positive and negative reactions with Symonette's decision showing impartiality on his part and adherence to the canons of the code with Canon I explicitly stating "An Arbitrator should uphold the integrity and fairness of the arbitration process." Symonette proved his responsibility to both the MLB and the umpires by having their needs and disputes meet halfway as nine umpires were hired back inclusive of back pays while the 13 other umpires who were dismissed remained as they were. Under Canon I, section F stating "An arbitrator should conduct the arbitration process so as to advance the fair and efficient resolution of the matters submitted for decision. An arbitrator should make all reasonable efforts to prevent delaying tactics, harassment of parties or other participants, or other abuse or disruption of the arbitration process," as well as Canon IV's "An Arbitrator Should Conduct the Proceedings Fairly and Diligently" under section E, "When the Arbitrator determines that more information than has been presented by the parties is required to decide the case, it is not improper for the arbitrator to ask questions, call witnesses, and request documents or other evidence, including expert testimony," Symonette have shown careful deliberation despite the lingering of the case (AP, 2005). NBA Teams vs. Player/s Another example of an National Basketball Association (NBA) arbitration case is that of Nate Huffman and the Toronto Raptors arbitrated by Roger Kaplan jointly approved by both parties. The case involving the termination of a three-year contract of Huffman after only six months had the team contend that Huffman did not fully disclose his medical history of his knee problems prior to signing the contract. Kaplan ruled out that Raptors have to pay the remaining $2.56 million on Huffman's terminated contract. With an implication that Huffman did inform the management about his knee problems, Kaplan have shown careful deliberation and adherence to Canon I's section E provision that "When an arbitrator's authority is derived from the agreement of the parties, an arbitrator should neither exceed that authority nor do less than than is required to exercise that authority completely. Where the agreement of the parties sets forth procedures to be followed in conducting the arbitration or refe rs to rules to be followed, it is the obligation of the arbitrator to comply with such procedures or rules. An arbitrator has no ethical obligation to comply with any agreement, procedures or rules that are unlawful or that, in the arbitrator's judgment would be inconsistent with this Code." By referring to the contract signed by the Toronto Raptors and Huffman, Kaplan complied with the agreement of the parties in conducting the arbitration process. The Raptors showed unclear message by claiming Huffman did not f