I think you are conflating 1st world economies with "American" consumerism and greed. Also, can I assume when you say "American" what you mean is US? Or are you including the rest of North and South American as well?
Large invading corporation.
You see the occasional family run French, Italian, Greek and even US BBQ place and no issue there.
Its when big corporation comes in and brainwashes the public who have never seen this bombardment of advertising, shiney people and product.
Its like an extreme version of cargo cultism is now reality.
Now, I'm not a fan of the products of McDonalds or KFC (love Starbucks though). However, if those companies are finding a market for their wares in your remote 2nd and 3rd world getaways, it seems to me that those folks want it.
See above
For many people in the world they want something because the TV told them they want it.
How much crap have you bought very the years that you never really wanted but you have it anyway?
A frightening thing I have seen on Asian TV now is TV shopping channels.
They seem to be selling all the useless product that was around in the 70s and 80s
Obviously there are warehouses full of crap somewhere that is now being dumped on people who have never seen it.
Mana from heaven or John Frum?
If the way of life and culture that you lament was so wonderful, I would bet that those very people wouldn't want to make any changes. No one is forcing them.
And in many parts of the country this is the case.
The happiest people I have met in south east Asia and the pacific islands are usually the ones that are away from the cities and the western influence and, when in these areas I now find myself heading to.
Finally, don't you think it is a bit ironic that someone with the financial resources and leisure time that enables them to cruise in a large boat is complaining that the "locals" are leaving behind their authentic, quiet, and simple life? Maybe some of those folks would like to be in your position someday?
Plenty of wealthy people in these lands who didn't have to turn to Americanism to get it.
Best coffee in the world in my opinion is Trung Nguyen, Vietnamese by Vietnamese is one example.
Can provide plenty more where wealth has been made yet culture has been retained with no compromise to the western palette or expectation.
I guess what I am getting at with all of this is if I want to see America, I go to America.
I don't want to go to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia to see it