The Price of Freedom: Consumerism and Liberty in Secular Research and Catholic Teaching

Abstract

This article contrasts the secular and Catholic literature on consumerism and its implications for liberty. Three specific questions are considered: Is consumerism harmful to liberty? Is it a necessary consequence of a market economy? Who is responsible for consumerism? The article shows that Catholic teaching on consumerism differs markedly from secular theoretical work but corresponds closely to secular empirical research. The article concludes by offering several suggestions, based on Catholic Social Teaching, for what can be done about consumerism.