Let me tell you a little story, about a place called Shanghai. In the 1930's, it was the Pearl of the Orient, a cosumerist haven. In fact, it was probably more capitalistic than many Canadian cities today. Indeed, some people did suffer greatly from this system, and in came a little meddler named Mao Zedong, who promised everyone that he would throw off the shackles of capitalism for a better, Marxist future. By the way, this person was educated by the French communists. Notice how Pol Pot came out of Paris as well. Those meddling French... Anyways...
Shanghai became a fanatical Maoist stronghold, no doubt a backlash of the capitalist excesses prior to 1949. Collectivism was installed here much more rigorously than the rest of China, the rapid deconstruction of consumerist society caused an overnight collapse of the regional economy. Money itself was removed, in its place were "goods coupons", which could be exchanged for (inferior) consumer goods. There was no consumer choice, everything was government issue. Shanghainese left their home in a mass exodus in the early 50's, many went to Hong Kong, some went to America.
Incidentally, some stores retained their consumerist traits, but they were patrolled by armed guards, and only the communist elite were allowed to shop in its glitzy grounds.
The 1980's brought about an economic restructuring. Consumerism rushed back into Shanghai, overnight there were massive shopping malls for the common people. Like an opiated mass, the Chinese people gleefully subjected themselves to consumerism. They embraced consumer culture and everything else that goes with it. While Americans were mourning the loss of their culture to the monster that is consumerism, the long deprived Chinese were plunging headfirst into it while a smile on their faces.
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