Have you ever thought about those little words in fine print that tell you where a product was made? How about the last time you put tires on your car? Before you made a decision on the purchase did you stop and ask where the tires are made? Probably not! You heard the only words you wanted to hear....good and cheap! When did we stop caring about where a product is made or did we ever? Why would this matter anyway and what importance is of it? Some may argue that free trade and imports give us purchasing power. They believe cheaper goods results in more money in our pocket to buy other goods. That theory is a farce with little to no data to support it. Buying American made supports job growth, the environment and human rights. The impact on us, our children and the future of America is greatly impacted on our purchasing decisions. Start by placing the blame on society itself. We have become an on demand society. Americans want it now, fast and cheap. Does anyone have patience anymore? Hesitate at a Mc Donald’s drive through or at a fresh green light. Within a few seconds someone will be honking there horn or flipping you the bird. Loyalty is another lost trait. People have the tendency to change jobs for a few extra bucks or better benefits. Employers would terminate their employees to save money and increase profit margin. Characteristics of our society reflect in the outcome of purchasing tendencies. How many of us can honestly say we make a valid effort to purchase goods made in our own country? In our face paced world where both parents are in the work force, raising children, social activities and everything else, who has time to make an effort? Most often, consumers only care about marking off the s... ... middle of paper ... ...io Network, February 22, 2010. Web. http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/china-news/factorys-pollution-victimizes-half-a-million-people-in-central-china-30218.html Ross, Janell. “Abuses At Overseas Factories.” Huff Post Business. July 21, 2011. Web. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/21/american-brands-abuses-factories-jordan-labor-conditions_n_903995.html Snyder, Michael. “55 Reasons Why You Should Buy Products That Are Made In America.” The Economic Collapse. November 19, 2012. Web. http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/55-reasons-why-you-should-buy-products-that-are-made-in-america-this-holiday-season Armstong, Ari. “Alex Bogusky’s Self-Sacrificial “Buy American” Nonsense.” The Objective Standard. TOS Blog. August 26, 2013. Web. http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/blog/index.php/2013/08/alex-boguskys-self-sacrificial-buy-american-nonsense/
How often does one actually consider where a product originates or under what conditions it was produced? While out shopping a consumers main focus is on obtaining the item needed or wanted not selecting merchandise based on the “made in” tag. It is common knowledge that many products are imported from other countries. However, little thought is given to the substandard conditions that workers endure to eke out a living to maintain a poverty stricken existence. In Mardi Gras: Made in China director David Redmon demonstrates the effect globalization and capitalism have on the lives of the owner and workers of a bead factory in China while contrasting the revelry of partygoers in New Orleans. Underpaid, overworked staff toil and live in an inhuman environment, exploited by a boss who demands much for little compensation while profiting greatly, to support themselves and their families.
Timmerman, Kelsey. "A Consumer Goes Global." Where Am I Wearing?: A Global Tour to the Countries,
World trade. Is something we need, Wal-Mart is an active participant i world trading allwin us to get the best deal of any import
One reason a person should make a concerted effort is the fact it will help keep American jobs in our own country. How many more empty storefronts must American look at before they realize that we are helping our enemies bring our once proud nation to its knees? Carpenter correctly claims if a person buys American made it will help business, stay in our country where it is needed the most. How many...
Tariffs are perhaps the most common way to restrict, or at least slightly discourage, foreign imports. Tariffs are, quite simply, taxes on imported goods. The thought behind imposing tariffs upon these goods is that it will cost more for foreign producers to sell their goods in the United States. However, the tariff is often passed down to the consumer. Even if the buyer can afford the cheaper American substitute for the product, the consumer is still robbed of fair choices between substitutes which throws off the fundamental forces of the market. Thus goes the anti-tariff argument. [2] Tariff-based protectionism does have its benefits, though. Due to fluctuations in currency prices, it is sometimes possible for foreign exporters to charge unnaturally low prices for their products. This is called dumping and will greatly reduce the sales of the domestic competitor. A tariff can be added to artificially raise the price of the foreign product. While this comes at the expense of consumers who wish to buy the cheapest products, it benefits American businesses and thus can indirectly benefit cons...
Trading internationally, along with foreign trading policies has always been a controversial issue in America. Free trade is just as taboo if not more so. Today, the United States has made an attempt to maintain an open market of trading. Free trading greatly benefits a nation’s economy. The history of trade in The United States dates back over half a century ago. Through a substantial part of history, the United States had implemented rather extensive barriers and restrictions regarding importation, in order to better protect domestic suppliers from any serious foreign rivalry. Regardless, of Government restrictions and barriers set in place to avoid foreign competition it is healthy for our nation to have motivation and have the desire to
In today’s culture, consumerism is what defines it. Americans perplex the difference between wants and needs. Retailers constan...
America’s current standard of living is going to cause our demise. Consumerism is a problem throughout Americans culture since mass production began in the late nineteenth century. The obsession with consumerism has led to mindless wastes of resources, a diseased society and economic instability. Rick Wolff, a professor of economics at University of Massachusetts, states “economics of capitalism spread consumerism—now uncontrolled, ecologically harmful, and fiscally disastrous—throughout the United States”. Wolff’s viewpoint on consumerism aligns with mine. Believing that an economy based on promoting endless consumption is volatile and unsustainable. Consumerism can be analyzed and seen to be embedded by corporations and politicians.
The United States has for over two centuries been involved in the growing world economy. While the U.S. post revolutionary war sought to protect itself from outside influences has since the great depression and world war two looked to break trade restrictions. The United States role in the global economy has grown throughout the 20th century and as a result of several historical events has adopted positions of both benefactor and dependent. The United States trade policy has over time shifted from isolationist protectionism to a commitment to establishing world-wide free trade. Free trade enterprise has developed and grown through organizations such as the WTO and NAFTA. The U.S. in order to obtain its free trade desires has implemented a number of policies that can be examined for both their benefits and flaws. Several trade policies exist as options to the United States, among these fair trade and free trade policies dominate the world economic market. In order to achieve economic growth the United States has a duty to maintain a global trade policy that benefits both domestic workers and industry. While free trade gives opportunities to large industries and wealthy corporate investors the American worker suffers job instability and lower wages. However fair trade policies that protect America’s workers do not help foster wide economic growth. The United States must then engage in economic trade policies that both protect the United States founding principles and secure for tomorrow greater economic stability.
Individual’s consumption pattern and purchase decision are strongly influenced by cultural norms and values of the society he lives in (H. S. Kim & Drolet, 2003; Oyserman, Coon, & Kemmelmeier, 2002; Sun, Horn, & Merritt, 2004). Since individuals in collectivist society pay more attention towards harmony of the gro...
The main themes addressed in this article are the generational changes within the workforce, the advancements in the economy that are affecting the workplaces and the changes in the work ethic of employees.
Mooij, M.de. (2004). Consumer Behavior and Culture, Sage Publications, Page 102, Page 119, Page 274, Page 275
Free trade in today’s economy allows so much more than just jobs and goods at lower prices for Americans. Compared to the foreign competition, the free trade benefits outweigh any risks the foreign competition might impose on the US. As said by Denise Froning in her article, free trade benefits in four ways. “Free trade promotes innovation and competition, Free trade generates economic growth, Free trade disseminates democratic values, and Free trade fosters economic freedom.” Societies that enact free trade policies create their own economic enthusiasm, nurturing freedom, job opportunities, and success that benefit every citizen. Free trade is the only type of fair trade because it offers consumers the most choices and best standards to improving their type of living. Also by fostering opportunitie...
consumption in America has changed drastically over the last hundred years. This is due to
Many Americans are used to getting the products they desire, at no cost. Trade with other countries is a necessity for the US because of the needs of the American people. Some examples of consumption could be wine, diamonds and gems, and vehicles. Another driving force in the global economy is the cost of labor. Imagine the amount of money some companies would have to pay American workers to do the same work as some third world countries.