Is There Really No Ethical Consumption Under Capitalism?

KAKALI DAS

“No ethical consumption under capitalism” –this phrase has been floating all over the internet, on social media platforms, in comment sections, and in conversations. But what does it actually mean? Many people use it to justify buying unnecessary things, even from unethical sources.

They say, “There’s no ethical consumption under capitalism, so it doesn’t matter what I buy.” But this phrase wasn’t created to encourage overconsumption. In fact, its real meaning is much deeper, and it’s important that we understand it clearly.

The phrase “no ethical consumption under capitalism” likely came from anti-capitalist spaces online, especially on platforms like Tumblr around 2014. It was never meant to encourage people to keep consuming irresponsibly.

It was meant to highlight the fact that the capitalist system we live in is built on exploitation. Whether it’s the environment, workers, or consumers – someone or something always pays a price. Even if we try to make ethical choices, we are still participating in a system that, by its very design, does harm.

Under capitalism, companies are driven by profit. They want to make the cheapest product as quickly as possible. This leads to poor working conditions, pollution, unfair wages, and many other problems. Even when we buy something labeled as “eco-friendly” or “sustainable,” it’s hard to be sure that every part of the supply chain is free from harm. That’s what the phrase means.

It reminds us that perfection is not possible in a system that is broken at its core. But it does not mean we should stop trying to make better choices.

This idea became more mainstream in the 1980s and 1990s when people began to care about where their products came from. People started to question animal testing, forced labour, racism, and other forms of injustice connected to production.

One of the major boycotts during that time was against companies supporting apartheid in South Africa. These movements were built on the belief that we can make a difference with our choices, even if we can’t be perfect.

Now, let’s understand about how this phrase is used incorrectly. Some influencers, especially on social media, do large shopping hauls from fast fashion brands or giant retailers. When they are criticized for promoting unethical consumption, they often respond by saying, “There’s no ethical consumption under capitalism.”

While the phrase is technically true, it is not an excuse to overconsume or ignore the impact of our choices. Buying ten fast fashion outfits and reviewing cheap electronics just for content is not the same as someone buying a winter coat from a fast fashion brand because they can’t afford anything else.

This phrase was meant for people who don’t have a choice. Maybe they can only shop at certain stores because of their budget, location, or size. For them, it’s important to understand that the blame does not lie with them, but with the system. They should not feel guilty for doing what they must to survive. But for those who do have options and are still making the worst choices over and over again, this phrase should not be used as a shield.

It is very important to understand the difference between surviving within a system and actively fuelling it for convenience or profit. If someone promotes a small local brand that uses sustainable practices, they may not earn as much as they would from promoting a massive brand like Amazon or Zara. But we should still think about where we spend our money. Each purchase is like a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.

When we buy something from a huge corporation that does not care about workers, the environment, or fair wages, we are supporting a system that keeps those problems alive. On the other hand, when we support a small, ethical business, we are giving our money to someone who might actually care about their impact. They may pay their workers fairly. They may use sustainable materials. They may care about the community and the planet.

Of course, we can’t all be perfect. And we shouldn’t feel ashamed for not being perfect. Zero waste, plastic-free living, and completely ethical consumption are ideals we may never fully reach. That’s okay. The idea is to try – to be aware of our choices, and to do better when we can. Even small changes matter. Choosing to shop from a local café instead of a global coffee chain, even if it’s not the most sustainable cup of coffee, is still a better choice. It’s not perfect, but it’s something.

The phrase “no ethical consumption under capitalism” should inspire awareness, not apathy. It should not give us a free pass to keep consuming irresponsibly. Instead, it should remind us to question the system, to recognize its flaws, and to act as responsibly as we can within it. We may not be able to control everything, but we do control how and where we spend our money. That matters.

If we choose to buy from Amazon every day for things we don’t need, we are not just making a personal choice, we are supporting a system that exploits workers, pollutes the planet, and puts profit before people. If we make a choice to buy less, to repair rather than replace, to support small businesses when we can, we are choosing to resist that system in small but powerful ways.

At the end of the day, everyone has to make money. Everyone has needs. But we must try to make better choices when we are able to. Not perfect choices, but better ones. That’s what this phrase is about. It’s not an excuse to give up. It’s a reminder that while the system is broken, our actions still matter. Our money still matters. And we still have the power to choose better, even within a system that makes that difficult.

So the next time you hear someone say, “There’s no ethical consumption under capitalism,” remember what it really means. It means we are all stuck in a flawed system, but we can still try to do the least harm. It means the blame should go to the system, not to individuals doing their best. And it means we must stay critical, stay aware, and stay thoughtful, because even if we can’t be perfect, we can still be better.

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