The developed countries, particularly the United States, consume a disproportionate share of the world\'s resources, yet high and rising levels of consumption do not necessarily lead to greater satisfaction, security, or well-being, even for affluent consumers....

What are the ends of economic activity? According to neoclassical theory, efficient interaction of the profit-maximizing \"ideal producer\" and the utility-maximizing \"ideal consumer\" will eventually lead to some sort of social optimum. But is that social optimum the same as human well-being?...