Dictionary Definition
commercialism n : transactions (sales and
purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and
services) [syn: commerce, mercantilism]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
Extensive Definition
Commercialism, in its original meaning, is the
practices, methods, aims, and spirit of commerce or business. Today, however, it
primarily refers to the tendency within capitalism to try to turn
everything into objects and services sold for the purpose of
generating profit;
commercialization,
where the value of everything, including such intangible things as
happiness, health and beauty become measured in purely commercial,
materialistic terms, and where public
services are being privatised or
outsourced to
private companies. For this reason, commercialism is often closely
associated with the corporate world.
The related term "commercialized" is often used
in an accusing way, implying that someone, often an artist or musician, has compromised the
quality of his work for monetary gain, which is called "selling out".
It can, for example, be applied to:- A painter who uses his/her
talent to do flattering, expensive portraits to order,
An independent music band that signs a contract
with a major record label and then changes its music and/or
appearance to become more appealing to a mass audience,
See also
External links
- Commercial Alert, a nonprofit organization that opposes commercialism