The Rise of American Consumerism: Department Stores, Victorian Ideals, and Communism

The Daily Signal

Government, Daily News, News, Politics

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 9 December 2019

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It is no secret that Americans love to shop! Whether in department stores, small boutiques, or online - America is a powerhouse of consumerism. But it was not always this way. Professor Josh McMullen, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA explains the rise of consumer culture in America. McMullen delves into the striking similarities between advertising then and now, the influence of transportation and department stores on consumerism, and the importance of consumption in the battle against communism in the mid-1900s. Also on today's show: We read your letters to the editor. You can leave us a message at 202-608-6205 or write to us at letters@dailysignal.com. And we share a good news story about the “Mountain Man Santa” in Kentucky that delivers gifts to the poor. The Daily Signal podcast is available on Ricochet, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or your favorite podcast app. All of our podcasts can be found at dailysignal.com/podcasts. Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is a Daily Signal podcast for Monday, December 9th. I'm Virginia Allen and co-hosting with me today is my colleague Philip Reynolds. Welcome Philip. It's great to be here.
0:14.4	Up on today's show Philip and I talk with our former history professor Dr. McMullen
0:19.3	about the rise of consumer culture in America. When did Americans start purchasing so many goods?
0:26.6	What was the first department store? And is there a connection between the rise of Communist
0:31.2	Russia and the rise of consumerism.
0:34.0	Dr McMullen answers these questions and more.
0:37.0	We also share your letters to the editor and a good news story about one man's generous approach
0:41.7	to gift-giving at Christmas time.
0:44.0	Before we get to today's show, Philip and I would like to tell you about a new podcast from the Heritage Foundation.
0:49.8	It's called millennial myths.
0:51.2	The show is created by members of Heritage's Young Leaders Program for Call millennial common myths among young Americans. The host and producer for this season is Tiffany Roberts,
1:05.4	a recent graduate of Cleveland State University.
1:08.7	You can find millennial myths on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you like to listen, you'll find recent episodes on the
1:15.4	so-called climate crisis, why the cost of rent is so high, and the truth about gender identity.
1:21.4	Stay tuned for today's show.
1:22.8	Coming up next.
1:25.9	If you're tired of high taxes, fewer health care choices, and bigger and bigger government,
1:31.5	it's time to partner with the most impactful conservative
1:34.1	organization in America.
1:36.6	We're the Heritage Foundation and we're committed to solving the issues America faces.
1:41.2	Together, we'll fight back against the rising tide of homegrown socialism, and we'll fight four
1:47.2	conservative solutions that are making families more free and more prosperous, but we can't do it without you. Please join us at
	...

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