The theory of the leisure class

Abstract

"In his best-known work, The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), Veblen appropriated Darwin's theory of evolution to analyze the modern industrial system." "While industry itself demanded diligence, efficiency, and cooperation, businesspeople - in opposition to engineers and industrialists - were interested only in making money and displaying their wealth in what Veblen coined "conspicuous consumption." Veblen's keen analysis of the psychological bases of American social and economic institutions laid the foundation for the school of institutional economics."--Jacket.

Contents

Pecuniary Emulation -- Conspicuous Leisure -- Conspicuous Consumption -- The Pecuniary Standard of Living -- Pecuniary Canons of Taste -- Dress as an Expression of the Pecuniary Culture -- Industrial Exemption and Conservatism -- The Conservation of Archaic Traits -- Modern Survivals of Prowess -- The Belief in Luck -- Devout Observances -- Survivals of the Non-Invidious Interest -- The Higher Learning as an Expression of -- the Pecuniary Culture.