Consumption and Consumerism as a Way of Life

General consumption and the generalization of it is a basic fact which we observe directly in different social and historical conditions. Ways of observing consumption and consumerism are different. In pre-industrial society, thrifty is regarded as a virtue; in modern society, consumption is seen as the hindrance, hampering the economic development. Market leads to enormous piling up of products as well as huge body of consumers. In modern society, consumption and consumerism have become a way of life, and consumption, in a sense, becomes an important way of showing the intention, status and positions of the consumer. Products consumed become a sign and consumers become the sign of the will of capital.