Maps of consumerism in the press: consumption imaginary from the economy to the individual

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to map the term consumerism, as well as semantic changes related to it, in Brazilian newspapers and magazines of the twentieth century. From the analysis, it is possible to conclude that the concept of consumerism becomes subject of public discussion in the press only from the second half of the twentieth century and its first inserts are hinged to the context of cultural products critics. It is only in the 1970s that can be seen an economic use of the word consumerism that is gradually replaced by a critic of lifestyles and habits.