Being Consumed Summary

The book titled ‘Being Consumed” written by William T Cavanaugh challenges the economic ‘free market’ system by opposing it with a Christian alternative which will actually be to the benefit of consumers in the market. The alternative method practices true freedom for consumers and points out the definition of freedom we were tailored to understand in the economy, which is in actual fact a vicade or a marketing strategy to exploit consumers into thinking they are still part of controlling the economy. It is discussed as good opposed to bad or negative opposed to positive and offers explanations and examples relating to the free market we in and the negative impacts on the consumers and negative practices which in turn benefits bigger corporations.

As a Christian Cavanaugh believes the fact that God is all good therefore these negative and bad practices are not godly and therefore are hazardous to consumerism and the economy as a whole. The economy which is based on supply on demand is also a factor that is being controlled now to the benefit of organisations and Cavanaugh discusses this control concept in contrast to our perception of market freedom. Cavanaugh conveys his point clearly as he offers examples and illustrations for better understanding and the purpose of this book is reached in this short book as the author gets to the point in a precise and understanding manner.

This book begins discussing the free market, with the opposing forces being Good and Bad, also described as God and Mammon.

As God is all good and he gave us free will, our current economy is not all good and our freedom of decisions is influenced indirectly by corporations looking to gain off consumers which at the ends negatively impacts people. The free market definition which describes the influence of people on decisions in the market through supply and demand is a system which was then used by corporations to give the customer false perceptions of there influence on pricing for example, as these factors of supply and demand are controlled by practices that are unnatural and

ungodly.

The book then goes on to discussing consumerism, and offers a interesting stand on the reality of this activity. Consumerism as we know is highly influenced by the media and is also said that through consumerism customers would benefit as they are offered choice of different products or services which best suits the individual. As discussed before by Cavanaugh, he then still convey how our freedom is limited as consumers are not made aware of crucial matters on practices or effects that products or services may have on the economy and there-by not having proper freedom and shedding bad light on consumerism. He then goes onto compare it to a material praise which is despised by God, and shows that consumerism corresponds with this case as consumerism does not encourage materialism therefore there is some good coming out of consumerism.

Globalisation versus local is a topic where Cavanaugh identifies that there is a problem.

This is caused by the differences of people and there wants and desires. Globalisation is discussed as a alternative to consumers offering them variety. This allows for mass contribution and has great influence on the economy. Cavanaugh then relates globalisation to the universal acceptance of Jesus Christ and offers that comparison to the solution to what seems to be a problem regarding globalisation. The problem of scare resources is also argued as this is said to be a crisis globally. The argument is shut out by Christian evidence that does not allow this theory as God is our provider and creator of earth. He has provided us with everything and it is sufficient. Cavanaugh discusses that the reasoning behind the topic of scarce resources and why it is void as a believer in

Christ.
‘Being consumed’ is a book that offers Christian alternatives to factors in the economy that consumers are believed to have no control over. This book also helps us understand what is going on in the economy and the forces that is not often recognised by consumers. The strength of this book is how the author conveys the topics in such a understanding manner with suitable examples and illustrations aiding reader understanding. ‘Being Consumed’ is also a short book which does not make a complicated situation more complicated. The author keep it brief enough and to the point.
The weakness of the book could be that readers could get lost at times in high vocabulary and certain words may need to be researched to get a understanding of a sentence. The book is written for readers with high intellect and if you do not pay full attention or if you are not captured by the topics you could get lost in this short book.

To get better understanding I would say that the examples are a excellent help and even with the vocabulary barrier at times I could overcome this by researching specific words. The strengths of this book does outweigh the weakness, and also to many this may not even be a weakness. Excellent read