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    Do Americans Shop Too Much?

    Part of New Democracy Forum

    Author Juliet Schor
    Edited by Joshua Cohen
    Paperback
    $16.00 US
    Beacon Press
    On sale Apr 24, 2000 | 118 Pages | 9780807004432
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    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
    Author of The Overworked American and The Overspent American, Juliet Schor is professor of economics at Harvard University.
    Juliet Schor View titles by Juliet Schor
    Do Americans shop too much? Yes, but there's one more thing they should buy-this book, which offers lucid new perspectives on what drives us to the mall.--Barbara Ehrenreich

    "Juliet Schor manages to insert a new question into our politics, and not a moment too soon. May the reactions to her ideas be the beginning of a robust public discussion, not merely an academic discourse. These issues will leap off the page at every reader who has ever wondered about why on earth he's living the way he is."--Bill McKibben

    "I read everything that is written by Juliet Schor. The reasons are clear and compelling. She is a fine writer, always has something new and important to say, and always I am persuaded and grateful. So with this excellent piece of work."--John Kenneth Galbraith

    About

    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

    Author

    Author of The Overworked American and The Overspent American, Juliet Schor is professor of economics at Harvard University.
    Juliet Schor View titles by Juliet Schor

    Praise

    Do Americans shop too much? Yes, but there's one more thing they should buy-this book, which offers lucid new perspectives on what drives us to the mall.--Barbara Ehrenreich

    "Juliet Schor manages to insert a new question into our politics, and not a moment too soon. May the reactions to her ideas be the beginning of a robust public discussion, not merely an academic discourse. These issues will leap off the page at every reader who has ever wondered about why on earth he's living the way he is."--Bill McKibben

    "I read everything that is written by Juliet Schor. The reasons are clear and compelling. She is a fine writer, always has something new and important to say, and always I am persuaded and grateful. So with this excellent piece of work."--John Kenneth Galbraith

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