ricans expanding purchasing power. Basically, as the American society achieves greater wealth, desires are continually created by the means in which they are satisfied. Galbraith describes this as the Dependence Effect. This effect is the way wants depend on the process by which they are satisfied (Galabraith 152). The economy and the consumer develop a symbiotic relationship. The consumers need the economy to fulfill their desires, fake and real, while the economy needs consumers to continue to thrive. As a result of Americas capitalist economy, acceptance of free trade and high production, the nation as a whole is one of the wealthiest in the world. But, our proliferation of selling activity is the counterpart of comparative opulence (Galbraith2 96). We are a wasteful nation primarily because we find necessity in excess materialism....
