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Thorstein Veblen Quotes

Economist

Thorstein Veblen was an American economist known for his sociological perspective on economics and his critical analysis of economic theories. His work, 'The Theory of the Leisure Class,' had a profound impact on later economics and sociology.

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All Leisure Conspicuous Consumption Class Mean Aesthetic Goods Habit Waste Wealth Beautiful Business Community Consumption Effort Eye Individual Self Standards Use Apprehension

Famous Thorstein Veblen Quotes

“The changing styles are the expression of a restless search for something which shall commend itself to our aesthetic sense; but as each innovation is subject to the selective action of the norm of conspicuous waste, the range within which innovation can take place is somewhat restricted. The innovation must not only be more beautiful, or perhaps oftener less offensive, than that which it displaces, but it must also come up to the accepted standard of expensiveness.”

Action Beautiful Subjects Fashion Style Expression Waste Standards Innovation Come Up Accepted Range Aesthetic Offensive Norm Restless Selective

Book:A Veblen Treasury: From Leisure Class to War, Peace, and Capitalism

Source: A Veblen Treasury: From Leisure Class to War, Peace, and Capitalism

“The requirement of conspicuous wastefulness is... present as a constraining norm selectively shaping and sustaining our sense of what is beautiful.”

Beautiful Requirements Norm Sustaining Wastefulness

Book:A Veblen Treasury: From Leisure Class to War, Peace, and Capitalism

Source: A Veblen Treasury: From Leisure Class to War, Peace, and Capitalism

“Labor wants pride and joy in doing good work, a sense of making or doing something beautiful or useful - to be treated with dignity and respect as brother and sister.”

“In itself and in its consequences the life of leisure is beautiful and ennobling in all civilised men's eyes.”

Men Life Eye Beautiful Inspire Consequence Leisure Civilised Conspicuous Consumption

Book:THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS: An Economic Study of American Institutions and a Social Critique of Conspicuous Consumption: Development of Institutions That Shape Society and Influence the Livelihood of Citizens: Based on Sociological & Economical Theories of Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Adam Smith and Herbert Spencer

Source: THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS: An Economic Study of American Institutions and a Social Critique of Conspicuous Consumption: Development of Institutions That Shape Society and Influence the Livelihood of Citizens: Based on Sociological & Economical Theories of Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Adam Smith and Herbert Spencer