My thesis: Consumption is seen as the driving force of the economy, providing people with the incentive to expend their time and energy to obtain more and better things. The standard approach to consumer behaviour in economics assumes that utility is a positive function of the level of consumption of goods and services, with the implication that spending enhances happiness or satisfaction.
Comment from the teacher:
I think your thesis outlines an important area worthy of further research; however, my recommendation would be to make the claim slightly more debatable by offering your opinion on the matter. For example, would you argue that this economic model is problematic? i.e., do we need to rethink consumption as a driving force of economic growth? and happiness for that matter? If the answer is no, why? If the answer is yes, also why? (And for the latter, how might we rethink the economy and happiness away from consumption?)
