The Theory of the Leisure Class (Paperback)

Thorstein Veblen

ISBN 13: 9798902720249

Published by Lushena Books, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899) by Thorstein Veblen is a critical analysis of modern consumer society. Veblen argues that in capitalist economies, social status is displayed through conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure-the public display of wealth and unproductive activities to signal prestige rather than utility. He traces these behaviors to earlier societies where a leisure class emerged, exempt from manual labor, and shows how their values come to dominate cultural standards of success. The book critiques how these status-driven habits encourage waste, reinforce inequality, and shape tastes, institutions, and economic behavior in ways that are often irrational and socially harmful. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9798902720249

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Theory of the Leisure Class (Paperback)
• Publisher: Lushena Books
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798902720249
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899) by Thorstein Veblen is a critical analysis of modern consumer society. Veblen argues that in capitalist economies, social status is displayed through conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure-the public display of wealth and unproductive activities to signal prestige rather than utility. He traces these behaviors to earlier societies where a leisure class emerged, exempt from manual labor, and shows how their values come to dominate cultural standards of success. The book critiques how these status-driven habits encourage waste, reinforce inequality, and shape tastes, institutions, and economic behavior in ways that are often irrational and socially harmful.