Economic Priorities
The United Stated of America is commonly referred to as a melting pot. The fact that we as a nation can encompass so many different cultures, religions, and economic aspects is amazing. Even though we intertwine these cultural differences in a respectful manner, we can’t help at times to become bias towards others customs and lifestyles. Many questions arise about this subject. Can we effectively live together and respect others cultures and values? I began to examine this topic by exploring two texts: a short story written by B. Traven called “Assembly Line,” and a chapter out of Alan Thein Durning’s “How Much Is Enough” named “The Conundrum of Consumption”.
In Traven’s “Assembly Line”, he takes a look at an encounter between two economic systems: the industrial American mentality of Mr. Winthrop and the self-sufficient mentality of the Indian craftsman. Mr. Winthrop recognizes that with mass production of these Indian baskets the market price will increase significantly, what he fails to understand is the economic and social imbalance that will take place in the Mexican village if the Indian agrees with his plan. The Indian recognizes the risks and knows that this will violently disrupt the goal of subsistence to a goal of accumulating wealth. Instead of the Indian cutting prices on the baskets, which would actually make sense in an industrialized economic system, he raises the prices per basket. Mr. Winthrop becomes enraged at this idea and cannot understand the logic in the Indians negotiations. Despite the misunderstanding the Indian successfully defends his self-sustaining lifestyle against the idea of industrial capitalism.
In Durning’s writings “The Conundrum of Consumption” he asserts that ” The society born in the United States into the 1920′s has moved far beyond American borders”(371), it has in a way became harmful to the environment. Durning suggests that we should curb our consumption and give up our fixation on money and material goods. Durning provides many examples within his writings of producers trying to capitalize on “green consumption,” the attempt by producers to convince potential customers that buying a specific product will benefit the earth. The big question Durning wants readers to answer is “Can we consume our way out of our environmental predicament”(374)? Traven and Durning emphasize the economic imbalance in American industrialized lifestyle. Both pieces take different approaches and make me question whether our economic mentality can succeed in years to come.
Traven and Durning both share similar views on the way Americans go about economic success. Traven goes about expressing his ideas in an indirect way. In “Assembly Line,” Traven is not trying to paint industrialism as good or bad, but rather to see differences between the two men and their views. “I’m the smart guy who discovered these baskets and since I’m the only Jack who knows where to lay his hands on more, I’m selling to the highest bidder”(361). Winthrop is definitely all about profit and gain regardless of what it takes. This industrial mentality is very common in American society today. The Indian on the other hand looks at the pros and cons of the situation. The Indians definition of economic success is based on a completely different set of standards. His customs and lifestyle cause him to deny the wealth and to continue the goal of a self-sustaining lifestyle. Traven wants readers to understand that the Industrial mentality is not the only means for economic success.
In contrast Durning seems to think the way we have been living is doing more harm than good. “Opinion surveys in the worlds two largest countries-Japan and The United States-show that people increasingly measure success by the amount they consume”(373). Durning believes that as a whole our economic priorities are not balanced. The emphasis made on our consumption of goods is placed too high on our priority list. He also takes a look at companies and their contribution to the problem. “If nature had a CEO this would be the company car, proclaims a 1996 Toyota Ad for The Land Cruiser”(372). Durning takes more of a direct shot toward or economic system and the way it functions.
Despite the recognition of our economic faults by both writers, they disagree on the ways to go about changing. Durning takes a critical and direct approach with examples to back him up. Traven wants the readers to recognize the cultural differences that cause economical differences. The idea that cultural differences spawn somewhat of a different economical approach is accurate. I believe that if I was born and raised with different customs my goals would probably vary. Traven’s work helps me recognize these things and appreciate other cultures. Subsistence lifestyles are very common with different cultures “If I have no corn, then I have no tortillas to eat and if I grow no beans, where do I get my frijoles from?”(364). The priority the Indian has on growing his own food is a custom, whereas my family would go to the groceries and make a purchase. Traven’s writings about two clashing economic systems keep my eyes open to other cultures and their lifestyles. Durning honestly believes that the idea of success by consumption has been the priority for too long. His ideas are very critical but contain very persuasive facts. Traven and Durning both have their own unique approach at getting readers to see their ideas. Both pieces of my work have me questioning our economic priorities as well as enhancing my ability to recognize the cultural differences in our society.
The ability to recognize the cultural and social differences in society can help us intertwine ideas to form a more efficient and relative economic system. When I was a child I remember watching my father discuss goals of success and talking about the consumption of many new things. Looking back, my fathers industrial mentality and goals of economic consumption make me think that that Traven and Durning’s ideas are not so far fetched. Economic consumption is not a very effective mentality to live by.
Traven and Durning offer readers deep insights of the economic presence of the world we live in. Although they both take different approaches, they are both driven with the same goal in mind. The economic clashing of worldviews found in “Assembly Line” and the criticism of economic priorities in “The Conundrum of Consumption” give readers a better awareness of cultural and economic change that might need to take a place in years to come. The challenge given to readers is to take these ideas and expand on them to make a more beneficial economic system.
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