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Grade 9 Social Studies Unit 1 Review 9.2.5 Assess, critically, the relationship between Consumerism and Quality of Life in Canada and the United States
What are the indicators of ‘Quality of Life’? • Quality of Life is the extent to which a person or group of people is able to achieve well-being. • Indicators of Quality of Life include; • Basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) • Social/spiritual well-being • Access to healthcare, education • Political and economic situations
How does individual consumer behaviour impact quality of life? • Through the choices a consumer makes (consumers have demanded that products be more eco-friendly) • Demands have improved quality of life as more companies are reducing their environmental impact • Consumers are more aware of the impact of their actions than ever before!
How does marketing impact consumerism? • Marketing is a way in which companies convey knowledge of their product to the masses. • Advertisements, prints, billboards, television, radio, online are various ways companies try to appeal to consumers. • Advertising can appeal to ethical/emotional values, fear, acceptance. • Marketing is a very effective tool for manipulating the behaviour of society.
How does consumerism provide opportunities for and limitations of impacting quality of life? • Consumers play a role in their quality of life through their decisions on what to and what not to buy. • Demand products that are good for society and themselves. • Example: the demand for companies to eliminate trans fats from their products
How is consumerism used as a power of the collective? • Collective consumerism can be a very effective way for consumers to influence the production, sale, or distribution of a product. • Boycotts – encourage people not to buy certain products • Example: PETA – encourages people not to eat at certain fast food restaurants due to practices • Boycotts – put enough pressure on companies to change their practices.
To what extent do perspectives regarding consumerism, economic growth, and quality of life differ regionally in North America • North America includes Canada, USA, and Mexico • Economies differ greatly, but trade agreements and movement of goods connect all three • Most citizens in Canada and USA are generally wealthier than those in Mexico • Perspectives on consumerism, economic growth, and quality of life differ in each country • The ability to purchase products that you need and want effects quality of life
What societal values underlie social programs in Canada and the United States? • Values demonstrate what a person believes in • Different economic structures dictate the different values shown through the social programs provided in each country • Both countries offer social services, but the degree to which they do differ greatly
Cont’d… • Collectivism (Canada) vs. Individualism (USA) • Canada • All people should have equal access to social services that are deemed essential and that gov’t has responsibility to provide these to those not able to provide themselves (healthcare, pension programs, disability, welfare) • United States • Only very low income earners qualify for publicly funded healthcare – all others required to pay their own • Not automatic pension program
Example Questions Which of the following characteristics is generally not considered to be an indicator of quality of life? Which of the following government programs suggests an underlying societal value of individualism? Progressive taxation Welfare programs Public health care Flat tax rates • Access to health facilities • Financial well-being • Religious freedom • Political ideology
Example Questions Which of the following situations is an example of a boycott? Food, security, spirituality, individual rights, citizenship participation, water supply, access to health care, pollution levels, and technology are examples of what concept? Equity Human Rights Quality of Life Standard of Living • Hundreds of people signing a letter demanding change to a government policy • Many consumers deciding together not to buy a particular product • People picketing in front of a store to protest its business practices • One country refusing to sell goods to another
All four of the given statements call for… Statement 1 Riches are not from an abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind. Statement 2 It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path that lead to success. Statement 3 A man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions. Statement 4 Excess and deficiency are equally at fault. A) Increased consumerism B) Restraint in consumption C) Eradication of poverty D) Greater emphasis on materialism
What statement about marketing is the cartoonist trying to make? • It is difficult to find employees who are skilled in the marketing field. • Employers want to make sure that their marketing employees are quality people with good work ethics. • Marketing can result in consumers being led to believe that products are of high quality than they actually are. • Marketing is the best way to make sure consumers know that specific lines of products are of especially high quality.
The two values that contribute to the existence of social programs are… • The importance of the collective. • The supremacy of the individual. • The value of working hard to support yourself. • The belief in the importance of helping those in need. • I and II • I and IV • II and III • III and IV
The two values that would be considered important in a market economy, such as the one in the United States, are… • The importance of the collective. • The supremacy of the individual. • The value of working hard to support yourself. • The belief in the importance of helping those in need. • I and II • I and IV • II and III • III and IV
Sources for Question Source I As a consumer, the choices I make when I buy something have an effect on more than just what I own and how much money I have left. Lately, it has occurred to me that my spending can affect my own well-being by demanding that companies take responsibility for things like pollution, waste, and sustainability. After all, none of us will do well if the air we breathe is killing us. Who knew I had so much power just by going to the mall? Source II “New! The Fat Buster! Stop spending Friday night in front of the TV and feel better about yourself when you lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks with the Fat Buster! It’s clinically proven to help you lose weight when you use it as a regular meal replacement. Available at most food stores.”
Source for Questions Source III “Stop the abuse of animals in the name of beauty! Blush Beauty products are tested on animals, causing intense pain in the name of product testing. Make this company change their ways and show your support for these animals by refusing to buy beauty products made by Blush Beauty!” Source IV I’m tired of all these companies telling me that I won’t have any friends if I don’t wear a certain pair of jeans or drink a certain type of pop. As I get older, I am starting to resent a lot of advertising techniques. Companies that just tell me about their product rather than tell me how inadequate I am are the ones whose products I am going to buy!
Use the four sources to answer the next 3 questions Each of the given sources deals with which of the following issues? The source that best shows how consumer behaviour can impact quality of life is… I II III IV • The way in which advertising can affect the spending habits of consumers. • The impact advertising has on the self-esteem of young people. • The ability of the consumer to drive the production of goods. • The power consumers have when they band together. The source that depicts consumers working together as a collective to influence business practices is… • I • II • III • IV
It is time North American consumers clued in to the fact that it is their habits that are the cause of the massive environmental damage being done every day. Our insatiable taste for bottled water, our head-in-the-sand attitude about throwing stuff out, and our belief that we “need” a car the size of a bus is resulting in damage that soon, if we do not do something about it, will be irreversible. • Is not something that can be changed. • Has a positive effect on the environment. • Has a negative effect on the environment. • Is something that varies between regions in North America. The speaker is suggesting that consumer behaviour… When the speaker mentions consumers’ beliefs that they “need” a car, he is most likely referring to a dependence on which of the following industries? Manufacturing Forestry Retail Oil
Headline 1 Animal Rights Group Asks Public to Stop Eating at Popular Fast Food Restaurant! Headline 2 Canadian Government Announces Increase in EI Eligibility Requirements! Headline 3 Consumers Demanding More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles as Prices Increase! Headline 4 New Refinery Depleting Water Stores in Northern Alberta! The headline that is depicting a boycott is headline… Headline II suggests that Canada’s social policies… Reflect a belief that people are responsible for their own financial well-being. Suggest the government is responsible to provide some support to citizens. Aim to make people accountable for their own behaviour while at work. Are not sufficient for the number of people who require them. • I • II • III • IV
Mrs. Ko and her husband arrived in Canada in 1986. They both acquired jobs as kitchen helpers in a small restaurant. By 1989, they had saved enough money to open a small restaurant of their own. In 1993, they started a janitorial service and expanded their restaurant. By 1998, their two businesses employed 25 people and brought in a clear profit of $200,000 each year. When interviewed by a local newspaper about her amazing success, Mrs. Ko said, “It’s not hard to make money in Canada. You just have to work.” • Public ownership • Freedom of choice • Supply and demand • Individual initiative One principle of free enterprise that is illustrated by the Case Study is..
Sources for Questions… Source I The weakness of a mixed economy is that it does not leave entrepreneurs the freedom they require to adequately stimulate the economy. Instead, those people engaged in business are frustrated in their efforts by a tangle of government regulations and unnecessary restrictions. As a result, those nations that emphasize free enterprise develop much more rapidly than those that hamper the efforts of the true capitalist. Source II The economies of countries that give free rein to capitalists develop more rapidly. There is ample statistical data to support this claim. However, there is a price to be paid for this rapid development and economic freedom. First of all, the lack of regulation in a pure market economy results in serious damage to the environment. In addition, there is a human price to pay as workers are exploited so that a few aggressive individuals can enrich themselves.
Sources Cont’d… Source III The concept of an unregulated free enterprise system often sounds appealing, as those who favour such a system praise its advantages and point out the tiresome burdens of government regulation. However, in a modern economic system, government regulation is essential if consumer are to be protected against unscrupulous business practices. Imagine a society in which consumers were totally at the mercy of the entrepreneur. How many shoddy and even dangerous products would be passed off onto the unsuspecting buyer? Source IV What is required in a modern economy is not an absence of government regulations, but a system in which the business community is free to create new wealth while being controlled by safeguards that protect society in general. Such a society would ensure that consumers and workers are protected from the perils of unregulated capitalism. In addition, the average citizen would share in the wealth created by the entrepreneurial class. The issue of concern in the given sources is… Protecting workers from the hazards of capitalism. The most effective way to stimulate the modern economy. Finding an economic system that is the capable of creating wealth. The extent to which the government should involve itself in the economy.
Scenario I Sam and Max stood at the back window of the plastics plant they both worked in. “I can’t believe no one complains about that,” Max said as he gazed out at the greenish-black goo flowing out of a pipe from the factory into the river. “People do all the time! I overheard the boss say that our company has been taken to court for all the pollution it causes.” “How come nothing ever changes?” Max asked. “Well,” shrugged Sam, “it’s cheaper for them to just pay the government’s fine than spend the money to clean up their act.” “Wow.” Max said. “Yup. Well, our lunch break is over – back to the old grind!” Scenario II “In other news, tire-producing giant Terrific Tires has drastically changed their production methods, bowing to consumer pressure. Over the past 12 months, the environmental group GreenNow! Has engaged in a public campaign asking people not to buy tire from Terrific Tires because of the high levels of pollution from their Canadian tire factories. Because of this campaign, the company has seen their sales drop over 10%” Scenario III Megan was frustrated. It seemed like hardly anyone really cared about how their individual actions had an impact on the environment. She wished people could understand that if everyone made small changes and realized how much power they had just by opening their wallets, they could see huge changes in the way companies did business. Scenario IVSandi could not believe how easy it was for her company to make some changes and decrease their environmental footprint. Installing the equipment did not cost as much as she had thought, and she had saved lots of money by using less energy and water. Not to mention the fact that they would get some good press for the work they had done, which would help sales, and her company would get some much needed tax breaks from the government.
Questions based on Scenarios… Which of the given scenarios demonstrates consumerism being used as a collective to exact change in business practices? Which scenario suggests that the government has not done enough to promote positive environmental business practices? I II III IV • I • II • III • IV Each of the given scenarios suggest that consumer behaviour can have an effect on business practices except… I II III IV
The “dilemma” being suggested in the given cartoon is if… Consumers will buy a product that will be damaging to the environment. The company should advertise that their new product is potentially damaging to the environment. The company should choose profit over environmental protection when deciding what products to sell. Consumers will boycott the company for selling products they know to be environmentally dangerous. The main point being made by the cartoonist is that companies… Often have difficulty making decisions about what products will be profitable once they are marketed. Are always reluctant to produce products that may be harmful to the environment. Can find it difficult to balance environmental responsibility with profit-making. With good environmental practices usually make products that sell very well.
Gary I believe that Canadians should look out for each other. Government should spend more money on programs like welfare and look out for our seniors. We should use progressive taxation to make sure that those who can afford to pay a little more do and those who need every penny they make can save a bit. Shannon Although I think there are some people who need the government’s help, most people can and should look after themselves. That being said, I do think the government should spend money on welfare, and some things like health care and education should be universal because it should not be just the rich people who get the good doctors and teachers. I also like the progressive taxation system. Paul Government handouts make people lazy. People should have to work for what they get, and if they are successful, they should not be punished by having to pay more tax. Also, running a deficit is simply an irresponsible way to govern – my vote goes to the party that will cut spending and be fiscally responsible. Lynn Although I know my opinion is not popular, I still believe strongly that the government really knows what is best for its citizens and should have the most say in the day-to-day workings of the country’s economy. Government regulation is the only way to make sure that everyone gets what they need and that the gap between rich and poor is not too great.
Liberal • Republican • Democratic • Conservative Which Canadian political party would Shannon most likely support in an election? Which two voters would likely support political parties that are on opposite sides of the economic spectrum? Paul and Lynn Lynn and Gary Paul and Shannon Shannon and Gary • Tax write off • Tax evasion • Tax bracket • Tax return The term that refers to not reporting income to the government to avoid paying the required taxes is called… Corporate tax breaks and the selling of Crown corporations to private owners would be actions most likely supported by which voter? • Gary • Shannon • Paul • Lynn