Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-138) and index.

Consumerism is harmful / John F. Schumaker -- Consumerism creates a healthy economy / W. Michael Cox, Richard Alm -- Simplicity offers a healthy alternative to materialism / Wendy Priesnitz -- Luxury spending spurs a healthy desire for self-improvement / James B. Twitchell -- Corporate marketing is responsible for children's materialism / Jonathan Rowe, Gary Ruskin -- Parents are responsible for children's embrace of consumer culture / James J. Farrell -- Consumerism harms the environment / S.M. John Kennedy -- Environmental harm caused by consumerism is overstated / Jack Hollander -- Buying leads to happiness / Hillary Johnson -- Materialism leads to unhappiness / Tim Kasser -- Consumerism is empowering to teens / Jim Pooler -- Materialism undermines the family / Patricia Dalton -- Materialism has led to a credit culture / Brett Williams -- Materialism leads to a lack of community / John De Graaf, David Wann, Thomas H. Naylor -- Breaking away from materialism / Bill Talen.