Just practically speaking, hard work alone doesn’t cut it. You need to figure out how to get enough money out for the labor you’re putting in. Goes without saying, for many people that’s impossible, especially with no financial wiggle room. On top of whatever inequalities are inherent to capitalism, the government’s also gone out of their way to completely rig the rules of the game.
I don’t think that’s uniquely american, though…?
In fact many countries including China and Mexico have more hours worked on average.
Surprised to see Japan at ~40
It’s the salarymen that work themselves to death. There are specific companies that have horrendous work culture, but many others that do not.
Work themselves to death doing fake work because looking busy is more important than being productive.