Economic production outpaced societal needs from "summary" of The affluent society by J.K. Galbraith
The central dilemma of modern industrial society is that the output of goods and services has grown exponentially, far outstripping the basic needs of the populace. The relentless pursuit of economic growth has created a situation where production has become an end in itself, divorced from the real needs of society. This disconnect between production and societal needs has led to a number of pressing problems that are all too evident in our affluent society. One of the most glaring consequences of this imbalance is the prevalence of poverty amidst plenty. Despite the abundance of goods and services being produced, there are still large segments of the population that lack even the most basic necessities of life. This glaring disparity between the haves and the have-nots is a direct result of the fact that economic production has been allowed to run amok, unchecked by any consideration of social justice or equity. Moreover, the pursuit of ever-increasing production has also taken a toll on the environment. The drive to produce more and more goods has led to rampant po...
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