The Purpose Of This Discussion Is To Help You Understand The

The Purpose Of This Discussion Is To Help You Understand The Growing C

The purpose of this discussion is to help you understand the growing concerns of consumerism and how the concept of consumerism is applied to varied contexts. Prepare and post a response to the following prompts: Describe consumerism. Describe a specific context and explain what consumerism means in the setting. What is planned obsolescence? What role does planned obsolescence play in consumerism? Describe one product or service and explain how planned obsolescence is incorporated into its design. Note: Do not use the same product or service that a classmate has already used in a previous post. What are your personal beliefs and biases about consumption? Having separated your personal belief and biases and using your newly honed skills of ethical evaluation, present how you feel about consumerism and planned obsolescence as a societal issue using ethical theories and concepts. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references in APA style The purpose of this discussion is to help you understand the role of corporations in the modern world, and evaluating ethical aspects of corporate market domination. Prepare and post a response to the following prompts: What is a corporation? What are the defining characteristics of a public corporation? What is a conglomerate? What is the difference between a corporation and a conglomerate? Describe how media conglomerates are organized in the United States. Use an example of one media conglomerate and examine is various parts. How might these parts work together for mutual advantage? Consider the ethics of media conglomerates. What are the advantages and drawbacks of allowing large conglomerates to control the mass media? What are alternative ways the media can be organized? Would the alternatives be more ethical or virtuous? Explain your reasoning. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references in APA style .

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Consumerism has become a defining feature of modern societies, reflecting a culture that equates personal fulfillment and social status with the accumulation of goods and services. At its core, consumerism refers to the societal tendency to prioritize the acquisition of material possessions, often driven by marketing and advertising strategies that influence individual desires and societal values. In a specific context, such as in the retail industry, consumerism manifests through the promotion of products designed to fulfill perceived needs, encouraging continual consumption to sustain economic growth.

Planned obsolescence is a strategic approach used by manufacturers to ensure that products have a limited lifespan, thereby prompting consumers to replace them more frequently. This practice plays a significant role in consumerism by stimulating ongoing demand for new products, which benefits corporations financially while fostering a cycle of continual consumption. For example, in the technology sector, smartphones are often designed with features that become outdated or non-functional after a period, encouraging consumers to upgrade regularly.

Incorporating planned obsolescence into product design can take several forms, including the use of non-durable materials, software limitations, or components that wear out prematurely. For instance, some printers are engineered with ink cartridges that are difficult to refill or replace, compelling consumers to buy new cartridges or new printers altogether. Such deliberate design choices exemplify how planned obsolescence sustains consumerist practices by creating dependency on continuous repurchasing.

From a personal perspective, my beliefs about consumption are influenced by ethical considerations concerning environmental sustainability and social equity. I recognize that consumerism fuels economic growth but also raises concerns about waste, resource depletion, and social inequality. Ethical evaluation, through theories such as utilitarianism and Kantian ethics, suggests that societies should strive for more sustainable and responsible consumption practices. Utilitarianism would advocate for actions that maximize overall well-being, which includes reducing environmental harm caused by overconsumption. Kantian ethics would emphasize treating consumers and the environment as ends rather than means, discouraging manipulative practices like planned obsolescence.

In society, planned obsolescence and consumerism pose ethical dilemmas, balancing corporate profit motives with environmental and social responsibilities. While economic growth is vital, unsustainable practices threaten ecosystems and exacerbate inequality. Developing ethical standards and regulations, such as designing products for durability and promoting responsible consumption, can help mitigate these issues. Ultimately, fostering a cultural shift towards valuing sustainability over material excess aligns with virtuous ethical principles for societal well-being.

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Corpo

rations are central actors in the modern economic landscape, characterized by their legal independence, limited liability, and capacity to raise capital through stock markets. They are structured entities created to pursue profit and operate within a legal framework that grants them rights similar to individuals. Public corporations are distinguished by their ownership via shares available to the general public, and they are subject to regulatory requirements such as transparency, reporting, and governance standards. These organizations are designed to maximize shareholder value and often have complex organizational structures that include various departments and subsidiaries.

A conglomerate is a large corporation that comprises multiple, diverse business entities operating in different industries. Unlike a typical corporation focused on a specific market, conglomerates have a diversified portfolio of companies whose core strength lies in corporate synergy and risk management through diversification. The key difference between a corporation and a conglomerate is that a corporation can be a single-business entity designed to operate within a specific sector, whereas a conglomerate encompasses multiple, unrelated businesses under a single corporate umbrella.

Media conglomerates in the United States are often organized as vast corporate entities with various divisions that control different media outlets and platforms. For example, The Walt Disney Company operates through various subsidiaries that include film studios, television networks, theme parks, and streaming services. These parts work together to promote cross-platform content, share advertising resources, and optimize marketing strategies. This interconnected structure can generate mutual advantages, such as consolidated branding and increased market control, but it also raises ethical concerns regarding monopolistic practices and reduced diversity in media voices.

The dominance of large conglomerates in media poses significant ethical questions. While they can offer efficient resource sharing and ensure broad content distribution, their control over mass media can lead to decreased pluralism, biased reporting, and the suppression of independent voices. The advantages include economies of scale and unified strategic direction, but drawbacks involve potential conflicts of interest, reduced diversity of perspectives, and increased corporate influence over public discourse.

Alternative organizational models for media include cooperatives, non-profit organizations, and community-based media outlets. These models emphasize democratic governance, social objectives, and community engagement, potentially making them more ethical and virtuous by prioritizing public interest over profit motives. Such alternatives can foster greater diversity, accountability, and representation in media, promoting societal values aligned with fairness and inclusiveness. While these models may lack the extensive resources of conglomerates, they could contribute to a more balanced and ethical media landscape by emphasizing autonomy, diversity, and social responsibility.

References

• Barney, J. B. (2020). Fundamentals of Organizational Architecture. Cambridge University Press.
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• Schiller, D. (2019). History of Mass Communication: Media and Society. Routledge.
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