Angulo - naked Econ. - 1st period- question #6 ch. 1

" The market does not provide goods that we need; it provides goods that we want to buy" (Wheelan 7).

     A subtle and reoccurring theme in this chapter is that America is based on consumerism while most of the world is based on survival. Earlier, this chapter stated that foreign countries in South America cut down natural resources for a little money. At first glance, we believe this to be irrational, but if we were to be placed in the position of a starving South Ameican villager that needs to provide for his family, then we would only be acting in our rational self interest. We are rich as a nation, so we can "care about the fate of the Bengal Tiger" (Wheelan 7). We can idolize diamonds more than necessities water. We can buy extravagant luxuries that most of Africa could never dream of having. We can buy dog cakes.