How did the installment plan fuel as superficial prosperity?

Answer 1

The installment plan fueled superficial prosperity by allowing consumers to purchase goods and services they could not afford outright, creating an illusion of wealth and abundance. This credit-based system encouraged overconsumption and debt accumulation, as individuals bought luxury items while living beyond their means. While it stimulated economic growth in the short term, it ultimately masked underlying financial instability and contributed to the economic challenges of the Great Depression. As a result, the apparent prosperity was often unsustainable and reliant on borrowed money.