I think about this a lot. I think it has most to do with that people don't only care about absolute wealth, but also relative wealth - keeping up with the joneses, if you will. As long as social status is connected to wealth, this will be a problem.
Personally I advocate a gradual decrease in allowed work hours - 10 minutes shorter work day every year, or so. Although France has tried this and it doesn't really seem to work.
Personally I advocate a gradual decrease in allowed work hours - 10 minutes shorter work day every year, or so. Although France has tried this and it doesn't really seem to work.