book Thorstein Veblen, Theory of the Leisure Class

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Theory of Leisure Class.
Theory of Leisure Class is a 19thcentury economics book by Thorstein Veblen that socially critiques social stratification of the various social classes in the society. The book is based on Veblen’s empirical observation and perception skills to explore developments in economic and social development. The Macmillan Publisher first published Theory of Leisure Class in the year 1899. The author conducted socio-economic analyses of the importance of the division of labor in the modern industrial society. Veblen uses satirical language to examine the value of the leisure class in the community while drawing from everyday life experiences and observations.
Existence and evolution of the leisure class date back from the 19th century. The society was still primitive as class distinctions never existed, and the aspect of ownership was not developed. Class distinction set in when humanity developed the need for property ownership. During Veblen’s time, America had developed a reckless spending habit all with the aim of emerging socially prestigious through material possession. However, the society demeaned women and perceived them as objects of conspicuous leisure. Their place was mainly in the kitchen and other domestic chores where her efforts were barely recognized in the socioeconomic scale (Bukharin, 54).
Veblen countered the conventional economic wisdom of the early 20th century. The author presupposed that there existed a class with more leisure than other social classes in the society.

Veblen stressed on social criticism to the leisure class where he aimed at linking leisure class to the wealthy. However, many still believed that overlapping is substantive amongst the rich. However, the upper social class may plan to opt out of the primary industrial occupations and instead search for more honorable areas of specialization (Veblen, 6). The rich are only content when exercising civic leadership all in the quest to remain dominant and authoritative.
Men were linked with most of the honorable activities in the society while women were associated with contrasting activities. Veblen believed that consumption is the principal goal towards amassing wealth and achieving productivity in conventional economics. This raised the need for competition since humans cannot simultaneously rise in the social scale. Rising along the social ladder calls for more than power and material possession and instead, Veblen uses the Theory of Leisure Class to emphasize on the productiveness of an individual. Leisure in a competitive society denotes a lack of creativity and not necessarily idleness.
Several factors must be put into consideration while conducting research. Without putting into writing, it’s clear that Veblen had to carry out research on the lifestyle, dressing codes, culture, and religion of the Leisure class to understand their consumption and leisure habits. Veblen interpreted the activities of the leisure class and related them too conspicuous and vicarious consumption and waste (Veblen, 33). The author tends to emphasize on the display of status rather than the functionality and usefulness of a given activity. However, it is very satirical that any activity that is productive is not considered honorable. It is very unfortunate that this is the same perception that forms the basis of the economic and social life in the modern era.
Despite the satirical nature of Theory of Leisure Class to the upper social class in the society, Veblen intended to prove the significance of socio-economic analysis in the modern society. The author, therefore, examines the economic behavior of the Leisure Class through conspicuous consumption. Victims of Leisure Class value the social goal of creating a superior impression over others regarding wealth and power.
Work Cited
Bukharin, Nikolai Ivanovich. “The economic theory of the leisure class.” (1927).
Veblen, Thorstein. Theory of the Leisure Class. Dover Publications, 2012. Internet resource.