Scholars in diverse fields now agree on the importance of investigating
the impact of consumption practices on the global environment, quality
of life, and international justice. In this comprehensive collection of
essays, most of which appear for the first time, eminent scholars from
many disciplines-philosophy, economics, sociology, political science,
demography, theology, history, and social psychology-examine the causes,
nature, and consequences of present-day consumption patterns in the
United States and throughout the world. Specifically, the essays
evaluate the impact of consumption practices on our own lives, our
institutions, other people, and the environment. The contributors give
explicit attention to the principles relevant for a consumption ethic,
as well as to the policies and practices that such an ethic permits or
requires. These engaging, jargon-free essays frame the problem of
consumption in a variety of ways, challenging readers to see the issue
from new perspectives. For scholars and students from across the
disciplines, as well as for environmental and consumer activists, this
volume will serve as the touchstone for discussions of consumption and
global stewardship.