'Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure.'
In The Theory of the Leisure Class Thorstein Veblen sets out 'to discuss the place and value of the leisure class as an economic factor in modern life'.
In so doing he produced a landmark study of affluent American society that exposes, with brilliant ruthlessness, the habits of production and waste that link invidious business tactics and barbaric social behaviour.
Veblen's analysis of the evolutionary process sees greed as the overriding motive in the modern economy; with an impartial gaze he examines the human cost paid when social institutions exploit the consumption of unessential goods for the sake of personal profit.
Fashion, beauty, animals, sports, the home, the clergy, scholars - all are assessed for their true usefulness and found wanting.
The targets of Veblen's coruscating satire are as evident today as they were a century ago, and his book still has the power to shock and enlighten.
Veblen's uncompromising arguments and the influential literary force of his writing are assessed in Martha Banta's Introduction.
ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
By:
Thorstein Veblen Edited by:
Martha Banta (Professor Emeritus University of Calilfornia Los Angeles) Imprint: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 196mm,
Width: 128mm,
Spine: 14mm
Weight: 211g ISBN:9780199552580 ISBN 10: 0199552584 Series:Oxford World's Classics Pages: 304 Publication Date:28 May 2009 Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
,
A / AS level
,
Further / Higher Education
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
