{"product_id":"the-theory-of-the-leisure-class-isbn-9780140187953","title":"The Theory of the Leisure Class","description":"\u003cb\u003eA classic of sociology and economics, originally published in 1899\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith exquisite irony, Veblen, the \"best critic of America that America has produced\" (C. Wright Mills), lays bare the hollowness of our canons of taste and culture. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.The Theory of the Leisure Class - Thorstein Veblen       Introduction by Robert Lekachman\u003cbr\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003eChapter I: Introductory\u003cbr\u003eChapter II: Pecuniary Emulation\u003cbr\u003eChapter III: Conspicuous Leisure\u003cbr\u003eChapter IV: Conspicuous Consumption\u003cbr\u003eChapter V: The Pecuniary Standards of Living\u003cbr\u003eChapter VI: Pecuniary Canons of Taste\u003cbr\u003eChapter VII: Dress as an Expression of the Pecuniary Culture\u003cbr\u003eChapter VIII: Industrial Exemption and Conservatism\u003cbr\u003eChapter IX: The Conservation of Archaic Traits\u003cbr\u003eChapter X: Modern Survivals of Prowess\u003cbr\u003eChapter XI: The Belief in Luck\u003cbr\u003eChapter XII: Devout Observances\u003cbr\u003eChapter XIII: Survivals of the Non-Invidious Interest\u003cbr\u003eChapter XIV: The Higher Learning as an Expression of the Pecuniary Culture\u003cb\u003eThorstein Veblen\u003c\/b\u003e (1857-1929) was a Norwegian-American sociologist and economist and a leader of the Efficiency Movement. In 1919, Veblen, along with Charles Beard, James Harvey Robinson and John Dewey, helped found the New School for Social Research (known today as New School University).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRobert Lekachman\u003c\/b\u003e was a professor of economics at Lehman College, City University of New York, and is the author of \u003cb\u003eThe Age of Keynes\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eCapitalism for Beginners\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cb\u003eChapter I\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroductory\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe institution of a leisure class is found in its best development at the higher stages of the barbarian culture; as, for instance, in feudal Europe or feudal Japan. In such communities the distinction between classes is very rigorously observed; and the feature of most striking economic significance in these class differences is the distinction maintained between the employments proper to the several classes. The upper classes are by custom exempt or excluded from industrial occupations, and are reserved for certain employments to which a degree of honour attaches. Chief among the honourable employments in any feudal community is warfare; and priestly service is commonly second to warfare. If the barbarian community is not notably warlike, the priestly office may take the precedence, with that of the warrior second. But the rule holds with but slight exceptions that, whether warriors or priests, the upper classes are exempt from industrial employments, and this exemption is the economic expression of their superior rank. Brahmin India affords a fair illustration of the industrial exemption of both these classes. In the communities belonging to the higher barbarian culture there is a considerable differentiation of sub-classes within what may be comprehensively called the leisure class; and there is a corresponding differentiation of employments between these sub-classes. The leisure class as a whole comprises the noble and the priestly classes, together with much of their retinue. The occupations of the class are correspondingly diversified; but they have the common economic characteristic of being non-industrial. These non-industrial upper-class occupations may be roughly comprised under government, warfare, religious observances, and sports.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt an earlier, but not the earliest, stage of barbarism, the leisure class is found in a less differentiated form. Neither the class distinctions nor the distinctions between leisure-class occupations are so minute and intricate. The Polynesian islanders generally show this stage of the development in good form, with the exception that, owing to the absence of large game, hunting does not hold the usual place of honour in their scheme of life. The Icelandic community in the time of the Sagas also affords a fair instance. In such a community there is a rigorous distinction between classes and between the occupations peculiar to each class. Manual labour, industry, whatever has to do directly with the everyday work of getting a livelihood, is the exclusive occupation of the inferior class. This inferior class includes slaves and other dependents, and ordinarily also all the women. If there are several grades of aristocracy, the women of high rank are commonly exempt from industrial employment, or at least from the more vulgar kinds of manual labour. The men of the upper classes are not only exempt, but by prescriptive custom they are debarred, from all industrial occupations. The range of employments open to them is rigidly defined.","brand":"Penguin Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301653467365,"sku":"NP9780140187953","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780140187953.jpg?v=1767741823","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-theory-of-the-leisure-class-isbn-9780140187953","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}