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

Published: Dec. 9, 2019, 8 a.m.

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.\n\xa0\nAlso on today's show:\n\n\nWe read your letters to the editor. You can leave us a message at 202-608-6205 or write to us at letters@dailysignal.com.\n\nAnd we share a good news story about the \u201cMountain Man Santa\u201d in Kentucky that delivers gifts to the poor.\xa0\xa0\n\n\nThe 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.\n\xa0\nEnjoy the show!\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.