The Collected Works of Thorstein Veblen: Veblen and the theory of the leisure class - - v. 2. The theory of business enterprise - - v. 3. The instinct of workmanship - - v. 4. Imperial Germany and the Industrial Revolution - - v. 5. An enquiry into the nature of peace and the terms of its perpetuation

The Collected Works of Thorstein Veblen: Veblen and the theory of the leisure class - - v. 2. The theory of business enterprise - - v. 3. The instinct of workmanship - - v. 4. Imperial Germany and the Industrial Revolution - - v. 5. An enquiry into the nature of peace and the terms of its perpetuation PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780415105026
Category : Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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The Theory of the Leisure Class

The Theory of the Leisure Class PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher: Phoemixx Classics Ebooks
ISBN: 3986474412
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 299

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The Theory of the Leisure Class Thorstein Veblen - The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Economic Study of Institutions (1899), by Thorstein Veblen, is a treatise on economics and a detailed, social critique of conspicuous consumption, as a function of social class and of consumerism, derived from the social stratification of people and the division of labour, which are social institutions of the feudal period (9th15th c.) that have continued to the modern era.Veblen asserts that the contemporary lords of the manor, the businessmen who own the means of production, have employed themselves in the economically unproductive practices of conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure, which are useless activities that contribute neither to the economy nor to the material production of the useful goods and services required for the functioning of society, while it is the middle class and the working class who are usefully employed in the industrialised, productive occupations that support the whole of society.

The Theory of the Leisure Class

The Theory of the Leisure Class PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Leisure class
Languages : en
Pages : 424

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This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.

University of California Union Catalog of Monographs Cataloged by the Nine Campuses from 1963 Through 1967: Authors & titles

University of California Union Catalog of Monographs Cataloged by the Nine Campuses from 1963 Through 1967: Authors & titles PDF Author: University of California (System). Institute of Library Research
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Library catalogs
Languages : en
Pages : 906

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Theory of the Leisure Class

Theory of the Leisure Class PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 3368266446
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Reproduction of the original.

The Theory of the Leisure Class (Unabridged)

The Theory of the Leisure Class (Unabridged) PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781611041187
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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The Theory of the Leisure Class was first published in 1899 by the Norwegian-American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen while he was a professor at the University of Chicago. The Theory of the Leisure Class is considered one of the first detailed critiques of consumerism. In the book, Veblen argues that economic life is driven not by notions of utility, but by social vestiges from pre-historic times. Drawing examples from the contemporary period and anthropology, he held that much of today's society is a variation on early tribal life. According to Veblen, beginning with primitive tribes, people began to adopt a division of labor along certain lines. The "higher status" group monopolized war and hunting, while farming and cooking were considered inferior work. He argued this was due to barbarism and conquest of some tribes over others. Once conquerors took control, they relegated the more menial and labor-intensive jobs to the subjugated people, while retaining the more warlike and violent work for themselves. It did not matter that these "menial" jobs did more to support society (in Veblen's view) than the "higher" ones. Even within tribes that were initially free of conquerors or violence, Veblen argued that certain individuals, upon watching this labor division take place in other groups, began to emulate the behavior in higher-status groups. Veblen referred to the emerging ruling class as the "leisure class." He argued that while this class did perform some work and contributed to the tribe's well-being, it did so in only a minor, peripheral, and largely symbolic manner. For example, although hunting could provide the tribe with food, it was not as productive or reliable as farming or animal domestication, and compared with the latter types of work, was relatively easier to perform. Likewise, while tribes occasionally required warriors if a conflict broke out, Veblen argued that militaristic members of the leisure class retained their position-and, with it, exemption from menial work-even during the extremely long stretches of time when there was no war, even though they were perfectly capable of contributing to the tribe's "menial" work during times of peace. At the same time, Veblen claimed that the leisure class managed to retain its position through both direct and indirect coercion. For example, the leisure class reserved for itself the "honor" of warfare, and often prevented members of the lower classes from owning weapons or learning how to fight. At the same time, it made the rest of the tribe feel dependent on the leisure class's continued existence due to the fear of hostilities from other tribes or, as religions began to form, the hostility of imagined deities. Veblen argued that the first priests and religious leaders were members of the leisure class. To Veblen, society never grew out of this stage; it simply evolved different forms and expressions. For example, he noted that during the Middle Ages, only the nobility was allowed to hunt and fight wars. Likewise, in modern times, he noted that manual laborers usually make less money than white-collar workers.

The Theory of the Leisure Class

The Theory of the Leisure Class PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher: Standard Ebooks
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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1899 was the tail end of the Gilded Age, a time in America of rapid economic expansion that caused a select few to become ultra-wealthy, while millions of commoners struggled in abject poverty. It was against this backdrop that Veblen, an economist and sociologist at the University of Chicago, wrote The Theory of the Leisure Class, a book that brought the phrase “conspicuous consumption” into the modern vocabulary. Veblen’s thesis centers on the definition of what he calls the “leisure class,” the upper social class consisting of wealthy individuals who are socially exempt from productive work. Their work instead becomes what he calls “conspicuous consumption”: spending their wealth in increasingly ostentatious ways in order to preserve their class status. Meanwhile, the lower and middle classes are the ones actually engaged in work that is productive to society—manufacturing and industry—with the goal of eventually being able to emulate the social status afforded by the conspicuous consumption of their leisure class masters. Along the way, Veblen links these behaviors with social strictures left over from feudal society, arguing that contemporary human society has not evolved far beyond our medieval peasant-and-lord forefathers. In those ancient societies, productive labor came to be viewed as disreputable and dirty; thus, status is won not by accumulating wealth, but by displaying the evidence of wealth. He argues that many of what some would consider society’s ills are linked to this fundamental concept: for example, the mistreatment of women—forcing them into constricting clothing, preventing them from participating in independent economic life—is a way for their husbands to show off their unemployed status as a kind of conspicuous leisure; or society’s obsession with sports, celebrity, and organized religion, all forms of conspicuous leisure that bring no productive benefit to society, and on the contrary waste time and resources, but whose practitioners—superstars and clergy—maintain a high social status. Though it was written over a hundred years ago when industrial society was just getting its footing, Veblen’s thesis predicts much of the social stratification we recognize today. Practical labor continues to be viewed as basically demeaning, while people struggle in vain to chase a glimmer of the vast wealth that celebrities, investors, bankers, hedge fund managers, and C-suite dwellers—the conspicuously-consuming leisure class of today—openly flaunt. As such, The Theory of the Leisure Class might be one of the most prescient and influential books of economic and social science of the 20th century. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

The Collected Works of Thorstein Veblen

The Collected Works of Thorstein Veblen PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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The Theory of the Leisure Class

The Theory of the Leisure Class PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Classic of economic and social theory offers a satiric examination of the hollowness and falsity suggested by the term "conspicuous consumption," exposing the emptiness of many cherished standards of taste, education, dress, and culture. Since first appearing in 1899, it has become a classic of social theory that has contributed to the modernization of economic policy.

THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS: An Economic Study of American Institutions and a Social Critique of Conspicuous Consumption

THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS: An Economic Study of American Institutions and a Social Critique of Conspicuous Consumption PDF Author: Thorstein Veblen
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Thorstein Veblen's 'The Theory of the Leisure Class' is a seminal work that delves into the economic and social dynamics of American society. Written in a satirical and critical tone, Veblen dissects the concept of conspicuous consumption and the role of the leisure class in perpetuating societal inequalities. His sharp analysis of the wasteful spending and social status symbols sheds light on the underlying power structures at play in the American capitalist system. Veblen's writing style is both academic and witty, making the book both insightful and engaging for readers interested in economics and sociology. This book is a must-read for those who seek a deeper understanding of societal norms and the impact of consumer culture on modern society. Veblen's unique perspective and keen observations offer valuable insights that are still relevant today.