To Be Happy You Must Make More Than Your Friends

It is referred to as conspicuous consumption. Basically what this means is the spending of goods to display wealth or social status. Which is more commonly called “keeping up with the Joneses.” Conspicuous consumption was introduced by economist Thorstein Veblen in 1899. The Theory of the Leisure Class is a book published in 1899, and was written by Veblen.

Keeping up with the Joneses is a phrase that became popular when cartoonist Arthur R. “Pop” Momand debuted a comic strip in 1916. The comic strip was run in a newspaper called the New York World, which ran from 1860 until 1931. The newspaper played an important role in American history.

During the latter part of the 19th century a new breed of people came to be. They were called consumers. The world would change profoundly in the mid 19th century and beyond.

Nationalism, universal education, transportation, and expansion of the national economy brought about this radical change bit by bit. Upward social mobility could finally be achieved through education. Ironically, some families did not agree with compulsary education and even protested against it. Some citizens did not want to be “enculturated” and taken away from the farm.

But eventually all that would change. Compulsary education reached Massachusetts in 1852. Before then, education was not compulsary. Newspapers started to be in circulation. People started to vote. Greater productivity brought cheaper goods. The age finally came to fruition;  for the first time mass consumerism came into being.

The term “la semaine anglaise” is the English week. For the first time ever, workers could have Saturday off. At least Saturday afternoon could be taken off, after a 60 hour week. This idea doesn’t mean much to modern workers; but before this time it was unheard of to do so.

Overall quality of life had gotten better for the most part. More leisure time was enjoyed by the masses. More goods were available. More roads became available. Communities promoted sports. Consumerism gave rise to upward social mobility.

Nouveau riche, or new money, could now be obtained in one generation. Significant improvement of living standards started a middle class that had purchasing power. In reality though, millionaires are quite stingy with their wealth.

In modern day America social hierarchy is extremely important. The last few decades in America have radically changed. One tremendous impact has been the increase of women in the workforce. In 1974, approximately 46% of all women worked. In 2004, almost 60% of all women worked. This factor has increased upward social mobility in America.

Education has allowed Americans to achieve upward social mobility. The number of college graduates is at an all time high. With an increase in upward mobility, there is also more competition and increased college tuition to pay. Thus, prohibiting upward mobility for some.

But for those few that are able to maintain keeping up with the Joneses, making more money and having more wealth doesn’t necessarily bring more happiness.

Having a higher income than other people is what matters to most people, a study shows. If you are going to remain happy, then you must make more than your colleagues. Making big money alone will not make you happy, according to the study.

This means that keeping up with the Joneses just isn’t good enough. You must surpass the Joneses.