Obsolescência programada: Um estudo sobre as inovações tecnológicas e a desregulação socioambiental

Abstract

In the timeline of economic history, the essentiality of technological innovations for development has positioned itself as a substantial part of the doctrine of capitalist economies, for which the supply and demand for consumer goods were the driving force for growth and wealth. Thus, the advancement of these innovations in industrial production processes has turned into strategies for capital accumulation, as well as for companies to stay ahead in the market. Furthermore, planned obsolescence of products, which constitutes and exemplifies this study, stands as part of these market strategies, where the deliberately shortened lifespan of products creates the perfect environment for large-scale production and consumption. Supported by the theories that breathe life into economic thought, the general objective of this research is to understand how the competitive mode of capitalist production functions, as well as to analyze and exemplify the impacts of this cycle on the social and environmental spheres. The specific objectives, in turn, consist of studying the thoughts of some authors from economic schools (ADAM SMITH, MALTHUS, KARL MARX, KEYNES, SCHUMPETER, NELSON, AND WINTER) regarding technological innovations, and analyzing how this fact changed production methods, leading industries to the practice of planned obsolescence. To achieve this, the methodology employed was qualitative bibliographic research, reading the main texts of the aforementioned theorists, as well as other literary works, such as documentary sources, books, articles, and dissertations, in order to provide answers to the problem presented. The conclusion of this research revealed that the practice of obsolescence, having such deep-rooted origins, is part of the mode of production and survival of capitalist economies, and therefore creates a complex and difficult scenario to transform. For this reason, this issue requires a much greater and collective effort from the companies that produce, the government that establishes regulations, and especially from the society that consumes, in fostering a healthier and more responsible relationship with the environment.