THE "CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION" TRAP: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMIC DISPROPORTION BETWEEN WEDDING EXPENSES AND INCOME IN UZBEKISTAN

This article examines the imbalance between the income levels of the population of Uzbekistan and expenditures on wedding ceremonies. Drawing upon Thorstein Veblen’s theory of “Conspicuous Consumption” and James Duesenberry’s “Relative Income Hypothesis,” the study explores the underlying causes of irrational economic behavior within Uzbek society. Furthermore, it provides a comparative analysis of wedding costs between Uzbekistan and European nations, specifically focusing on Germany. The article concludes by formulating evidence-based proposals and solutions for redirecting these funds from “dead capital”` toward productive economic assets, such as education, business development, and strategic investments.