A History of Consumerism in America

The History of Consumerism - First Phase

Through my readings, I found that United States of America (USA) were the first nation in the world to have a consumerisms movement. It is recorded that the earliest complaint lodge by a consumer was way back in 1775 in Massachusetts whereby the seller is found guilty on conducting their food business on an unhygienic manner. At that point of time, the issues raised by the consumerism are to halt the monopoly activities and combating those who conduct business in food and beverages on an unhygienic order.

Consumerism movement has carved its own history for the mankind. In 1906, the consumerism has influenced the government on setting up the competent institution to monitor the level of food and medicine safety and the establishment of Pure Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was formed in accordance to the Pure Food and Drug Administration Act.

The World War II - Second Phase

This is more unlikely to happen and pity for the local people as the world are focusing more on sustaining their defense capabilities, more of the national budget have drain out to war compared to the domestic affair issues. These have retarded the developmental of the consumerism issues until a study called 100,000,000 Guinea Pigs were published and have place the US nation at an alarming level of how loose the regulations and protection towards consumer pending to the official claims by the study that reported the drugs, cosmetics and foods in the market are not safe. Labels consist of false information and these products are not tested to secure their safety and widely being used by the consumer.

The Announcement - Phase Three

This should be the glorious moment for the consumerism movement as the President of the United States; John F. Kennedy has delivered the concept of consumer rights through four primary points known as :

1.
The right to acquire safety
2.
The right to choose
3.
The right to get information; and
4.
The right of hearings