num_pages: 118
description: Juliet Schor breaks a taboo by exposing Americans' shopping habits to moral society. Schor disapproves of unfettered private consumption, not only because we already use up so much, but also because overspending to bolster a sense of self does not lead to happiness. Along with her critique, Schor suggests intriguing ideas for making 'status' goods accessible for all--for example, imposing high taxes on expensive items to subsidize lines of affordable 'luxury' goods. A firestorm of responses follow from economist Robert Frank and others.The New Democracy Forum is a series of short paperback originals exploring creative solutions to our most urgent national concerns."A civic treasure. . . . A truly good idea, carried out with intelligence and panache." --Robert Pinsky
language: English
title: Do Americans Shop Too Much?
titlecomplete: Do Americans Shop Too Much? (New Democracy Forum)
genres: Sociology, Economics, Nonfiction
ratings_count: 37
publisher: Beacon Press