1. World problems
  2. Proliferation of commercialism

Proliferation of commercialism

  • Commercialization of society
  • Mercantilism

Nature

Individuals or societies are becoming more and more dominated by acquisitiveness and valuing all things in terms of prices in the market.

Background

Mercantilism is the theory or practice of mercantile pursuits. It is an economic system that developed in the 17 century with the rise of the modern centralized nation state and was intended to increase the power and especially the monetary wealth of a nation by strict regulation of the national economy, usually through policies designed to secure an accumulation of bullion, a favourable balance of trade, the development of agriculture and manufactures, and the establishment of foreign trading monopolies.

Incidence

The proliferation of commercialism has become a pervasive global phenomenon, manifesting in the saturation of advertising, branding, and consumer-driven values across diverse societies. This trend is evident in the increasing presence of commercial messages in public spaces, digital platforms, and even educational and cultural institutions, affecting both developed and developing countries. The scale of commercial influence now extends to shaping social norms, personal identities, and public policy, making it a matter of worldwide significance.
In 2023, the city of São Paulo, Brazil, experienced a surge in digital billboard installations, despite previous efforts to limit outdoor advertising. Local authorities reported a 30% increase in commercial displays, sparking public debate over the encroachment of commercial interests into urban life.
This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Claim

The idea that everything is for sale and nothing is sacred – that all values are subjective – undercuts our own moral and cultural commitments, not just those of tribal and traditional communities.

The cost of a thing is not what the market will bear but what the individual must bear because of it; it is "the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run".

Counter-claim

The so-called "proliferation of commercialism" is not a problem worth worrying about. In fact, commercialism drives innovation, creates jobs, and offers consumers more choices than ever before. Complaints about its spread are often rooted in nostalgia or elitism, ignoring the tangible benefits it brings to society. Rather than lamenting commercialism, we should embrace its role in improving our quality of life and fueling economic growth.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Broader

Proliferation
Yet to rate

Narrower

Prostitution
Excellent
Slave trade
Presentable
Consumerism
Presentable

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Materialism
Yet to rate

Related

Secularization
Presentable

Strategy

Commercializing
Yet to rate

Value

Proliferation
Yet to rate
Mercantilism
Yet to rate

Reference

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #10: Reduced InequalitySustainable Development Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(C) Cross-sectoral problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
Content quality
Presentable
 Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
F0815
DOCID
11608150
D7NID
136792
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020