HOW IS THE IDEA OF HAPPINESS CONSTRUCTED IN A CONSUMERIST SOCIETY?
Significance
I've been aware of various articles in recent times detailing the supposed demise of the western world in pursuit of material happiness. I'm also interested in the idea of happiness being a fixed ideal to obtain, and how anti-consumerist ideals of happiness could also be damaging, although this may not be relevant or there might not be enough time to discuss this in my essay, depending on the results of my research.
I'm also interested in class systems too, particularly how the middle class function (or don't).
Resources
- The Promise of Happiness http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=uOAPdbhSpksC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=happiness&ots=lagOYXNmS5&sig=Dlb-LZHAE0rk-8XFn5-4tU1UELI#v=onepage&q=happiness&f=false
- Smile or Die http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YLb1148-VWcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=smile+or+die&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JDl6VMzDKcflywOE6IHIBQ&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=smile%20or%20die&f=false
- A Virtuous Cycle: The Relationship Between Happiness and Virtuosity http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2309566
Methods
I will be researching consumerist attitudes to happiness over quite a large period of time. I plan on reading books from Vance Packard and seeing how they are still relevant to today, if at all.
I am unsure of how my own illustrated response to this will be taken. I imagine a reportage based work could be relevant, or even a fact based one. It's hard to imagine in such advance time especially before finding the results of my research.
Limitations
I will be focusing on this culture of happiness and achievement in the western world, particularly in the UK and US as that is where I have the most access to information about. I imagine that the perception of happiness and success is different from country to country, particularly in regards to political views (i.e. a capitalist society probably has very different views to a communist one etc). It would be good to focus on UK views only but as our media often intertwines so much it might be hard to seperate the two.
Essay Plan
- Introduction, describing the significance of this project. (300 words)
- Main Body (2400 words). I'd like to be able to integrate visual examples and academic research together. I feel this would create a more cohesive essay. Some possible points to look at:
- perceptions of happiness as material wealth
- perceptions of happiness as academic achievement/ career success
- perceptions of material wealth / academic achievement / career success being particularly middle class things
- backlash to 'middle class' happiness ideals. is it damaging to be pressured into being happy in any way?
- Conclusion, summarising the findings of this project and my personal views on this (300 words)
