Literary style The Theory of the Leisure Class

in contrast, veblen used objective language in theory of business enterprise (1904), analyses business-cycle behaviours of businessmen; yet, in introduction 1967 edition of theory of leisure class, economist robert lekachman said thorstein veblen misanthrope, that:

as child, veblen notorious tease, , inveterate inventor of malicious nicknames. adult, veblen developed aptitude abusive category , cutting analogy. in volume [the theory of leisure class] striking categories 4 in number: [i] conspicuous consumption, [ii] vicarious consumption, [iii] conspicuous leisure, , [iv] conspicuous waste. amazing large proportion of social activity, higher education, devout observance, , upper-class consumer goods seemed fit snugly one, or another, of these classifications.

concurring lekachman, economist john kenneth galbraith, in introduction 1973 edition, said theory of leisure class veblen’s intellectual put-down of american society. veblen spoke satirically in order soften negative implications of socio-economic analyses of u.s., more psychologically threatening american ego , status quo, negative implications of karl marx s analyses. that, unlike marx, recognised capitalism superior feudalism in providing products (goods , services) mass consumption, veblen did not recognise distinction, because capitalism economic barbarism, , goods , services produced conspicuous consumption fundamentally worthless.