Скачать или смотреть The Dark Psychology of American Consumerism: Why We Can’t Stop Buying

Americans are the best consumers of the world, and the numbers aren't even close. China comes in second place, spending less than a third of what Americans do annually, despite having almost five times the population. By global standards, Americans are incredibly wealthy, love shopping, and aren't afraid to go into debt to keep the buying spree going. The American economy relies more heavily on buying stuff than virtually any other major economy on the planet.

World Bank data shows that Americans account for about a third of all consumer spending worldwide, despite making up just 4% of global population. Consumer spending now represents a whopping 69% of the American economy. For comparison, in China, consumption makes up only 38% of GDP, while in the European Union, it's just 51%.

But this obsession with buying didn't happen by accident. It was engineered—carefully, methodically, and with a deep understanding of human psychology.

Let's explore how Americans became the world's shopping addicts, the psychological triggers that keep them buying, and why it's so hard to break the cycle—even when bank accounts are screaming for mercy.