Affluenza, a portmanteau of affluence and influenza, is a term used by critics of consumerism.
The book Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic defines it as "a painful, contagious, socially
transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit
of more."
The term "affluenza" has also been used to refer to inability to understand the consequences
of one's actions because of financial privilege, notably in the case of Ethan Couch.
Theory British psychologist Oliver James asserts
that there is a correlation between the increasing nature of affluenza and the resulting increase
in material inequality: the more unequal a society, the greater the unhappiness of its
citizens.
Referring to Vance Packard's thesis The Hidden Persuaders on the manipulative methods used
by the advertising industry, James relates the stimulation of artificial needs to the
rise in affluenza.
To highlight the spread of affluenza in societies with varied levels of inequality, James interviewed
people in several cities including Sydney, Singapore, Auckland, Moscow, Shanghai, Copenhagen
and New York.
James also believes that higher rates of mental disorders are the consequence of excessive
wealth-seeking in consumerist nations.
In a graph created from multiple data sources, James plots "Prevalence of any emotional distress"
and "Income inequality," attempting to show that English-speaking nations have nearly
twice as much emotional distress as mainland Europe and Japan: 21.6 percent vs 11.5 percent.
James defines affluenza as 'placing a high value on money, possessions, appearances and
fame', and this becomes the rationale behind the increasing mental illness in English-speaking
societies.
He explains the greater incidence of affluenza as the result of 'selfish capitalism', the
market liberal political governance found in English-speaking nations as compared to
the less selfish capitalism pursued in mainland Europe.
James asserts that societies can remove the negative consumerist effects by pursuing real
needs over perceived wants, and by defining themselves as having value independent of
their material possessions.
In Australia Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss' book,
Affluenza: When Too Much is Never Enough, poses the question: "If the economy has been
doing so well, why are we not becoming happier?".
They argue that affluenza causes over-consumption, "luxury fever," consumer debt, overwork, waste,
and harm to the environment.
These pressures lead to "psychological disorders, alienation and distress", causing people to
"self-medicate with mood-altering drugs and excessive alcohol consumption".
They note that a number of Australians have reacted by "downshifting" — they decided
to "reduce their incomes and place family, friends and contentment above money in determining
their life goals."
Their critique leads them to identify the need for an "alternative political philosophy,"
and the book concludes with a "political manifesto for wellbeing."
As a legal defense
In December 2013, State District Judge Jean Boyd sentenced a North Texas teenager, Ethan
Couch to 10 years probation for drunk driving and killing four pedestrians and injuring
11 after his attorneys successfully argued that the teen suffered from affluenza and
needed rehabilitation, and not prison.
The defendant was witnessed on surveillance video stealing beer from a store, driving
with seven passengers in a Ford F-350 stolen from his father, speeding, and had a blood
alcohol content of .24%, three times the legal limit for an adult in Texas, when he was tested
3 hours after the accident.
Traces of Valium were also in his system.
G. Dick Miller, a psychologist hired as an expert by the defense, testified in court
that the teen was a product of affluenza and was unable to link his bad behavior with consequences
due to his parents teaching him that wealth buys privilege.
The rehabilitation facility near Wichita Falls, Texas that the teen will be attending will
cost roughly $700 a day, however Couch will be paying only a portion of that.
At a February 5, 2014 hearing, Eric Boyles, whose wife and daughter were killed in the
crash, said "Had he not had money to have the defense there, to also have the experts
testify, and also offer to pay for the treatment, I think the results would have been different."
Trademark The trademark for the word "AFFLUENZA" is
currently held by B.I.M.
Imaging.
See also
References
Further reading The Circle of Simplicity, Cecile Andrews,
ISBN 0-06-092872-7 The Golden Ghetto: The Psychology of Affluence,
Jessie H. O'Neill, ISBN 978-0-9678554-0-0 Voluntary Simplicity, Duane Elgin, ISBN 0-688-12119-5
Voluntary Simplicity, Daniel Doherty & Amitai Etzioni, ISBN 0-7425-2066-8
How Much Is Too Much?
Raising Likeable, Responsible, Respectful Children-From Toddler to Teens- In an Age
of Overindulgence, Clarke, Jean Illsly, Bredehoft, David & Dawson, Connie, ISBN 978-0-7382-1681-2
External links PBS Show: Affluenza
Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year Winners: Affluenza
Oliver James website The Affluenza Project
Affluenza issues in the USA Overindulgence Research
Affluenza video A film clip "The Open Mind - Affluenza" is
available for free download at the Internet Archive [more]