Abstract:

The 1930s is a decade of both economic boom and social unrest for Shanghai. Responsive to the disturbing changes, Shen Bao, known in English as Shanghai News, published many commentaries and reviews on an emergent consumerist style that emphasized extravagant spending. As the consuming pattern was more typical with the middle and upper classes, such discussions had little impact on this trend. However, they manifested a new sensitivity to the changing manners and mores. Many of these discussions suggested practicing thrift while promoting production as a way to cope with the crises. But as the enterprises were eager to seek immediate profits, thus contributing to the "abnormal prosperity", the government, despite its strong efforts to advocate thrift, was unable to change the prevailing values and to discourage an irrational economic boom in Shanghai.

Key words: consumption, Shanghai citizens, Shen Bao, government