The present lifestyle of the average Canadian revolves around consumerism and the achievement of self-actualization needs. These desires and materialistic ideals however, are relatively new concepts as a result of capitalism, which was spurred by the introduction of the department store during the late 19th century. Stores such as Timothy Eaton, Hudson Bay Company, Simspon’s and other major retailers stimulated the economy by encouraging cash sales, ultimately modernizing Canada and making it what it is today. Donica Belisle’s “Retail Nation: Department Stores and the Making of Modern Canada” encompasses the negative and positive impacts of the department store on Canada during the 20th century. Furthermore she explains how these corporations dominated and adapted to the lifestyles of the average Canadian. Belisle effectively supports her arguments by including in depth research and presenting both sides of the story. Belisle begins her article by introducing the economy and lifestyle of Canadians during the late 19th century. She explains that the new trending consumerism lifestyle during the late 1800’s was mainly due to the uprising of department stores as they offered low prices, fashionable products and convenience (104). Chapters one through three identify the relationship between department stores, products, consumers and the nation itself. With the majority of department stores targeting the emerging middle class, Canada began to build a consumerist national identity. Stores such as Eaton’s, Simpson’s and HBC introduced various new innovative techniques to maximize profitability. For example, their mail catalogues allowed people across Canada to access their services effortlessly (7). Belisle describes that department st... ... middle of paper ... ...ed the lifestyle of Canadians. Their effect on Canadians contributed to the making of our consumer capitalist society. While department stores introduced several innovative ideas to the business world, their negative impact significantly contributes to our materialistic lifestyle. Donica Belisle’s “Retail Nation: Department Stores and the Making of Modern Canada” clearly define these aspects and describe the mass retailers relationship between the public, its stakeholders and Canada’s national identity. The author’s well researched information and various perspectives of a situation support her arguments effectively. In conclusion, Donica Belisle’s book excels in its presentation as it is well written and well organised. She successfully communicates her main points and eliminates bias by presenting both sides of a story, making this a good book for others to read.
Over the past 20 years, the nature of the American retailing market has changed dramatically, going from Mom and Pop's boutiques to mega retail stores like Wal-Mart. Especially in the last decade, Sam Walton's discount stores have proliferated in almost every city across the United States and Canada. But the opinions about the effects of Wal-Mart in small towns divide the rural population in two groups. Through economic, cultural and social arguments, the anti-Wal-Mart activists and the advocates defend their point of view about the expansion of the store in small communities.
The economic progress Canada made after the war lead to the growth of the country. New industries emerged from innovations of products like automobiles, radios, television, digital computers and electric typewriters (Aitken et al., 315). Canadians quickly adapted back to the “buy now, pay later” strategy rather than careful budgeting during the Great Depression (Liverant). Almost everything that Canadians did was influenced from new inventions; television was the most influential. Canadians conversations, humour, and lifestyle were influenced from television (Aitken et al., 315). Trade relations between the United States and Canada had become more efficient due to the St. Lawrence Seaway. The mass development of the St. Lawrence Seaway, in 1954, was to provide a large wate...
...id for this last bold initiative, for the shaping fleets of Atlantic Canada declined, at least in part, because of factors in international trade over which the entrepreneurs of the region had no control over.” Saint John and its city’s economic of “wood, wind and sail” were challenged by the technological advancement of steam and iron and took victim to an economic downturn for the region. The protectivist timber market with the British was decreasing as the need for wooden ships and general trade dropped. It was not long before principal investors were challenging their business westward to capitalize on what would be the future of business in manufacting, railways and banking. The “envious position of Saint John was short lived… [As] only a few shipyards, including the one in Saint John, changed their operations to produce steel-hulled, steam-powered ships.”
in James Opp & John C. Walsh. Home, Work & Play: Situating Canadian Social History.
Tim Horton's is a typical Canadian coffee shop. By observing and interpreting this setting, we can understand Canadian culture as it's expressed in that setting. Understanding this small part of Canadian culture can then be applied, in a broader way, to the culture of Canadian society. A certain language that is special to customers of Tim Horton's serves a purpose that most are not aware of, big business is changing and confusing our traditional culture with a new culture that is run and concerned with money by large corporations. Canadians are generally friendly and polite to one another but are not community oriented, they are more individualistic.
From the start of the 1920's, Canadians have faced a considerable amount of threat towards the Canadian culture from it's American neighbours. For Canada, living so close causes a concern on Canadian identity from American implementation, however, being in a close relationship with the States, it has also promoted Canadian culture. An examination of the nation's success with CBC from America's involvement in the airwaves, Canadian nationalism is promoted through Hockey Night in Canada and the establishment of the National Film Board during the growth of American entertainment industries, will clearly prove that American influence has not diminished Canadian identity but in fact has strengthened it.
Canada was widely acknowledged as the “Land of Opportunities” and “Land of Plenty”, and the country have attracted millions of immigrants throughout history. The 1950s had been the post-war period of World War Two and was a decade of radical changes in Canadians’ lifestyles. After World War Two, Europe became undesirable for people to live in due to massive war losses and damages. On the other side of the world, North America was not affected by any damage from World War II, instead, it benefited from the war as its economy flourished. Positivity spread through most of the country as automobiles, and televisions became a part of Canadians’ lifestyle.
O DODSON, Edward. “Canada: an idea that must survive”. Online at: http://www.uni.ca/livreouvert/dodson_e.html , consulted on February 9, 2004.
Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.
Today Canada and the United States are major trading partners, allies, and two neighboring countries with a long history of cooperation with each other. But is it possible for Canada to protect its independence and culture living next door to the country so powerful and rich as the United States. Since the Canadian confederation, Canada started developing relations with the U.S. As the years passed by, Canada began to relay on the United States in the national defense. Many Canadians think that the military, political and economical dependence would not make a difference to their daily life. But today more then even Canadian culture is affected by the American influence. Media, American artists, economic dependence, American propaganda and political pressure from the United States is making Canada too Americanized. All of these factors reflect on the social life of ordinary Canadians threatening the heritage and the traditions that define Canada as independent country.
Benjamin Franklin is credited with the quotation: “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning”. Franklin’s notion of the evolution and continual growth relates to the economic concepts of classical sociologist Max Weber. Weber’s ideas of social theory and the evolution of the “spirit of modern capitalism” have in many circumstances improved society. This evolution has subsequently instilled values of success and achievement within individuals partaking in the capitalist system. Max Weber’s “spirit of capitalism” is still prevalent in post-modern society; however a desire for product and increased consumerism has skewed the “spirit” within the modern economy. Instances of disillusionment of the capitalist system have occurred throughout recent history however it still remains the dominant ideology within Canada. The broader Canadian society has accepted post modern capitalism as the norm, however this deviates from the original “spirit of capitalism”. In some cases however, distinct and isolated communities still ascribe to a traditionalist form of society and economic systems, greatly differing from both post modern capitalism and Weber’s “spirit of modern capitalism” ethos.
As Alvin Toffler once said, “The wider any culture is spread, the thinner it gets”1. Such holds true for the American culture, which is not only a dominating factor in its own internal market and known domestically but also a dictating force in countries around the world on the global scale, and the first on their list – Canada. This issue of cultural imperialism is touched upon by Gaëtan Tremblay in his article, “Is Quebec Culture Doomed to Become American?”
Overall, the malls promote a sense of superficiality, a need to acquire goods for social acceptance, and an emphasis on artificial happiness. Though they began with innocent intentions, the sinister effects of changing societal values has left us in a jeopardizing situation. Our shallow "needs" for consumer goods have weakened society and compromised our position as a close community.
Consumerism has always been a big part of society back in the golden days. In today’s society, the ongoing debate of wants and needs are not justified by an individual’s wealth, but it is rather opinionated by the generalized public. Not only are the consumers getting caught in this mess, but many retailers are being sucked in as well. Retailers, have to stay up to date with the latest trends, to make sure they get their products across. Human identity is no longer determined by how much a person makes an hour, but by the commodities they possess. Consumers are so centralized on the materialistic items, that they forget what is more valuable and important. Unfortunately, the frivolous consumption has taken over the