The “humanisation” of pets is a continuing trend, whereby pets (particularly dogs and cats) are increasingly cared for according to human patterns, and human aesthetic standards are applied to pets. Pets are increasingly regarded as family members, and are often considered as equivalent to children in the level of attention and care they gain from pet owners.  Read more 

Regarding the political economy …
It started a while ago when they deregulated the markets . The full court press started with the dot.coms. The introduction of the internet into the fabric of everyday life created the habits, infrastructure and mechanisms, to have a market that radically redistributed wealth from the general populace to a few very well placed elite. “Market Fundamentalism” is as detrimental to our well being and way of life as Islamic fundamentalism.  Read more