Planned Obsolescence and Consumption from The Perspective of Public Relations and Advertising

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2

Beril Özer

Öz

This article examines the concept of planned obsolescence through the lens of public relations, consumption, and advertising, exploring how this concept serves the consumption-driven structure of capitalist economies. Planned obsolescence is defined as a strategy that intentionally designs products with a limited lifespan to encourage consumers to purchase more frequently. This strategy plays a critical role in sustaining consumption continuity and supporting capitalist economic growth. By accelerating consumption circles, planned obsolescence not only fosters economic expansion but also plays a key role in the creation and maintenance consumer culture. Public relations and advertising emerge as essential tools that enhance the functionality of planned obsolescence. These activities instill in consumers the perception that products are outdated or obsolete, creating new demands and promoting consumption. Additionally, the strategy of planned obsolescence contributes to positioning products not merely as necessities but as indicators of individual identity and social status.
The study employs a theoretical and conceptual analysis method grounded in a literature review. By integrating the literature on planned obsolescence, consumer culture, public relations, and advertising, it presents an interpretive and critical approach. The study addresses various dimensions of planned obsolescence. First, it introduces the concept of planned obsolescence and the phenomenon of consumption. Then, it examines consumption patterns and consumer behaviors. Finally, it analyzes the influence of public relations and advertising on societal norms and individual preferences in the context of planned obsolescence and consumption.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Consumption , Capitalism , Planned Obsolescence , Advertising , Public Relations.

Kaynakça

• Adamson, G. (2005). Industrial strength design: How Brooks Stevens shaped your world. MIT Press.
• Balcı, Ş. and Bal, E. (2022). Gelişmeleri kaçırma korkusu (fomo) ile akıllı telefon bağımlılığı ilişkisinde kullanım süresinin aracılık rolü. Medeniyet ve Toplum Dergisi, 6(2), 103-120.