Can You Survive Without Your Cell Phone?
By Laura Hathaway
Introduction
Depending on your age, you may or may not be able to imagine life without a cell phone.
How different would your life be? Now think about if there was not such a thing as money to
use to purchase the things you need how different your life would be. Although there has been
some type of trade or barter system to meet people’s basic needs, at least since the beginning of
Biblical times, the concept of an economic monetary system for profit is relatively young. Do
business and economic decisions have an impact on society? They certainly do (Heilbroner,
1953).
Pre-economic Time
“Since he came down from the trees, man has faced the problem of survival, not as an
individual but as a member of a social group” (Heilbroner, 1953, p. 160). Heilbroner, Plato,
Potter, and many others refer to man’s most basic needs as being food, shelter, and clothing
(1953, 360 B.C.E., 1960). They provide examples of how men would sometimes trade goods or
services with each other to obtain these necessities. In some societies, the village, estate, etc.
was self-sustaining in meeting its basic needs.
Throughout most of history, religion and/or some form of superstition have been the
predominant influence on society. R. H. Towney’s article The Social Organism from Religion
and the Rise of Capitalism (1928) gives an insightful look into the effects of such influence on
different societies. People were punished and some were put to a torturous death for trying to
improve their situations or suggest new ideas. Even as the concepts of private property, earning
beyond one’s immediate needs, and a proposed economic system began to emerge, most
Can You Survive Without Your Cell Phone?
societies feared and adamantly opposed such notions as evil. In some societies, traditional
circumstances actually had to deteriorate before improvements could be adopted.
The Premarket Economy
The transition to an economic market system took place over several hundred years.
According to Heilbroner (1993), there were three prerequisites that needed to transpire prior to
society’s acceptance of the establishment of an economic market-driven system. First, people
needed a new attitude toward economic activity. Second, the monetization of economic life had
to proceed to its ultimate conclusion. Third, the pressure of a free play of market “demand” had
to take over the regulation of the economic tasks of society.
One historic interpretation suggests the spread of the Protestant ethic planted the root in
societies to accept gradually the spirit of capitalist ideals (Religion & Capitalism, n.d.). In 1776,
Adam Smith who was credited as the father of capitalism wrote The Wealth of Nations. Smith
believed “that if individuals were free to pursue their own self-interest, the result would be good
for society as a whole” (Economic Systems Today, n.d.).
Revolutions Effects
Next societies began to revolt. The monarchies, dictatorships, and class systems were no
longer acceptable. People sought new opportunities. The American and French Revolutions
provided an abundance of land and resources, and established rights for individuals, which were
heretofore unfathomable.
Then there arose a different kind of revolution. The Industrial Revolution would
influence society with previously inconceivable inventions. Now there was electricity, the steam
engine, automobiles, communications such as the telegraph and telephone, etc.
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Can You Survive Without Your Cell Phone?
Labor forces organized into unions to attain improved working conditions such as, higher
wages, better hours, and safety regulations.
Simultaneously, the technology revolution improved manufacturing techniques. The cost
to produce products and services decreased enabling increased accessibility to society. The
radio, television, and computer were introduced. Satellite communications, major advances in
medical technology, and exploration in space were now possible. These were the precursors to
cell phones, cable, and the internet on which society is now dependent.
Advertising
To ensure economic prosperity for society, advertising arose to influence consumers that
they wanted and needed new products. Advertising’s objective is to promote bigger, better,
stronger, faster, and cheaper.
Conclusion
Once society accepted the idea of business and the economic system, progress could not
be halted. These modern developments have increased society’s ability to maximize its use of
time and resources. Decisions made through business and economics now constantly affect the
everyday lives of society. Now, can you survive without your cell phone?
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Laura Hathaway
Can You Survive Without Your Cell Phone?
References
Heilbroner, R. L. (1953). The Economic Revolution. In C. M. Boardman & A. N. Sandomir
(Eds.), Foundations of Business Thought (2007, pp. 160-171). Boston: Pearson Custom
Publishing.
Heilbroner, R. L. (1993). The Making of Economic Society. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall. [BUS 1050 class handout. The Premarket Economy.
Plato (360 B.C.E.). Excerpt from the Republic. In C. M. Boardman & A. N. Sandomir (Eds.),
Foundations of Business Thought (2007, pp. 84-89). Boston: Pearson Custom
Publishing.
Potter, D. M. (1960). What kind of an animal is this here capitalism? In C. M. Boardman & A.
N. Sandomir (Eds.), Foundations of Business Thought (2007, pp. 187-195). Boston:
Pearson Custom Publishing.
Religion & Capitalism (n.d.). From Industrial Man. [BUS 1050 class handout.]
Tawney, R. H. (1928). The Social Organism from Religion and the Rise of Capitalism. In C. M.
Boardman & A. N. Sandomir (Eds.), Foundations of Business Thought (2007, pp. 149159). Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing.
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