Over the past few decades, social media, the meritocracy and celebrity culture have fused to form a modern culture that... places tremendous emphasis on competitive display, personal achievement and the idea that physical beauty is an external sign of moral beauty and overall worth.
My God, you're almost there. Just say that capitalism wants to trash those who don't have immediate material value.
On the top of my head, I'd say that socialist countries would attach less economic value to beauty, and beautiful people wouldn't need to use their beauty to get ahead as much. I have no evidence for this, though.