Thorstein Veblen

Thorstein Veblen was an American economist and sociologist, born on July 30, 1857, and died on August 3, 1929. He is best known for his book 'The Theory of the Leisure Class' published in 1899, which introduced the concept of conspicuous consumption. Veblen's work focused on critiquing the consumption habits of the wealthy and the social structures that support industrial capitalism. He is also known for coining the term 'technological determinism' and for his contributions to institutional economics.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Theory of the Leisure Class

    This book is a socio-economic critique of American consumerism and the upper class, written in the late 19th century. The author argues that the wealthy engage in conspicuous consumption and leisure to display their wealth and maintain their social status. He introduces the concept of "pecuniary emulation," suggesting that the lower classes imitate the consumption patterns of those above them, leading to a wasteful and inefficient economy. The book is a seminal work in the field of economics, providing a satirical yet insightful look into the behavior of the affluent.