The Democratization of Taste

Today's WSJ includes a column about IKEA, sometimes blocked by NIMBYs, but increasingly a staple of Bobo (apologies to David Brooks) life.

Much has been made of the "democratization of luxury", the fact that middle class Americans now live better than the wealthiest did not so long ago (think medical science if there is any doubt). It seems that the democratization of taste is not far beyond; IKEA (and many others) have emerged to help the newly affluent to adapt to (and make the best of) their new status.

More, perhaps, than even the most optimistic market enthusiasts had ever dreamed.