CONSUMERISM

IN

RUSSIA

RUSSIA Russia is the largest country in world in term of area. The Russian economy is the world's ninth largest by nominal GDP The sixth largest by purchasing

power parity Russia is one of the world's fastest growing major

economies. Russia is also the ninth most populous nation with 143 million people as of 2012.

Consumerism is a social and economic

order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts

In economics, consumerism refers to economic policies placing emphasis on consumption. In an abstract sense, it I the belief that the free choice of consumers should dictate the economic structure of a society.

CONSUMERISM

CONSUMERISM IN RUSSIA In 1700, 95 % of its population

was agricultural and poor. On 1701 Peter the Great

declared that Russian nobility must adopt Western dress.

Rapid Growing interest in acquiring fashionable clothing as a status symbol.

But by 19th century fashionable shops increased but bulk of population remained unaffected

The Russian aristocrats trying to match their western counterparts in living standards

New shops sponsored by foreign, particularly French

Traditional urban shopping coexisted mainly due to necessities

Contrast existed between traditional style and western style

RUSSIAN DEPARTMENTALSTORES

Rapid changes in taste and

preference in upper class people of Russia.

Started following western trend in departmental stores

Older type of stores becoming un-modern and non western.

Laments among Russians.

CRITISISM OF DEPARMENTAL STORES

Gender came in comment. Debate on consumerism by

Marxist. Focus on working class. Consumerism a foreign

imposition.

CONSUMERISM IN SOVIET

SOCIETY

Political turmoil Communists came in power Opposed western consumerism

Focused on industrialization than individual benefit.

Nazi threat-World War2 then operation of Soviet empire (Mid 1930’s)

Additional funding went to military force.

Common people found it difficult to buy their basic necessities.

Return of consumerism

GUM ( Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin, )

ONGOING AMBIVALENCE:1950s-2000

End of Cold War

Nikita Khrushchev visited the USA

Influence of Western Culture

Change in the economy of Russia

Collapse of Soviet system

ANY QUESTIONS

BY-SUBHAM GHOSHNILANKA GHOSHPRATIK GANGULIANSHUL ANNANDVICTOR SARKARARNAB DUTTA

SAYANTA BHATTACHARYA

Thank you