Question

How was American consumerism singularly american

Answer 1

Because on average, spend about 5 times of daily consumption compared to the population in other nations.
While many other country's main problem is that they're dying because they do not have enough food, the main problem in america is that people dying because they have too much food.

Answer 2

Consumerism in America is singluarly American because advertisers were able to market The American Lifestyle and the purchase of products was the required path to achieving The American Lifestyle. Which products you purchase and use have come to define you, according to advertisers.