Boosters of corporate-led globalization like to say that markets are more efficient economic equalizers than governments are. Whether or not you believe this, it only makes sense if you also believe that everyone in the world has the same desire to buy things.

There are indications that people aren't as excited about consumption as they used to be, at least in developed countries. Once they have most of the things they need, people can become complacent. That's why multinationals are so keen on opening consumer markets in the developing world. There's huge potential in China, southern Asia and eastern Europe, though one shudders to think about the effect on the planet when a billion more people own cars and eat their daily fill of assembly-line beef.

If the LOHAS movement catches fire, it may not be that bad by the time every Tajik has access to a Wal-Mart. LOHAS, which stands for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, is a movement influenced by the Cultural Creatives theory of sociologist Paul Ray, who claims that there are more than 50 million Americans, at least a fourth of the U.S. population, who sincerely desire an alternative to the status quo. These people care about the environment, peace, social justice, alternative health care, personal growth and, perhaps most significantly, stopping corporate-led globalization. And they are willing to work for these ideals.