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
- ISBN10 080700443X
- ISBN13 9780807004432
- Publish Date 24 April 2000
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Beacon Press
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 118
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780807004432