The Theory of the Leisure ClassOUP Oxford, 11 oct. 2007 - 304 pages '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. |
Table des matières
I Introductory | 7 |
II Pecuniary Emulation | 20 |
III Conspicuous Leisure | 28 |
IV Conspicuous Consumption | 49 |
V The Pecuniary Standard of Living | 70 |
VI Pecuniary Canons of Taste | 78 |
VII Dress as an Expression of the Pecuniary Culture | 111 |
VIII Industrial Exemption and Conservatism | 125 |
IX The Conservation of Archaic Traits | 140 |
X Modern Survivals of Prowess | 161 |
XI The Belief in Luck | 180 |
XII Devout Observances | 191 |
XIII Survivals of the NonInvidious Interest | 216 |
XIV The Higher Learning as an Expression of the Pecuniary Culture | 236 |
Explanatory Notes | 260 |
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Expressions et termes fréquents
accepted activity acts appears appreciable aptitudes archaic barbarian beauty become body canons character commonly consequence conspicuous conspicuous waste consumer consumption course culture devout direction distinction dominant dress earlier economic effect efficiency effort element employments emulation especially evidence expenditure expensive expression fact force further gain given ground habits of thought hand higher honorific human ideal immediate individual industrial instinct institutions interest invidious kind labour later learning least leisure class less living lower manner marks material matter means measure methods mind motive nature objects observances pecuniary persons population possession predatory present productive propensity question regards relation relatively reputability respect result scheme selective sense servants serve social spiritual stage standard status substantial success taken taste temperament theory things tion traits true Veblen vicarious vogue waste wealth women