Galbraith's Dependence Effect

In today’s society, money has become a God for many Americans – it is something society worships and admires. Practically, everything is up for sale, like the right to shoot an endangered black rhino for $250,000 or the right to immigrate to the United States for $500,000. In the quote shown above, Lewis Lapham emphasizes that society places value in material things as opposed to valuing the more important things in life such as courtesy or integrity. Lapham believes that American success relies on the things that they own. It is obvious that Lapham is correct. In our modern day and age, many of celebrities that Americans worship as a whole flaunt their material wealth and that is why they are so well known rather than idealizing people who preach characteristics that society should encompass. Regardless of whether this is for the better or worse, this is what American life is like.
To begin, it is evident that society possesses many things that are not needed, nonetheless, Americans continue to spend to show what they are capable of purchasing with their wealth. Wendell E. Berry, an environmental activist and novelist, addresses his …show more content…
This idea is expressed in Galbraith’s essay “The Dependence Effect”. Whenever an individual’s wants become satisfied, more wants are created, which is known as the Dependence Effect. Advertising in a way convinces people that they “need” things. An example in society can be jewelry. In television, listening to the radio or reading the newspaper, there will often be an ad that attempts to persuade the readers/viewers that he/she should purchase an expensive ring, necklace or earrings for a loved one. Advertisements similar to these contaminate people’s minds into thinking that he/she may need these items in order to be happy. It is a common belief in society that the more items an individual show to have, the more “grace” they will

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