The Theory of the Leisure Class
Topic 4
The purpose of this paper is to identify, explain and appraise Thorstein Veblen theses in “The Theory of the Leisure Class” (henceforth, referred to as TLC). Furthermore, this paper will discuss wether leisure class being too conservative and hinder the development of the society. To begin with, in order to identify TLC, it is essential to define what Veblen means of “leisure class” in the book. As Veblen said in TCL, “The leisure class as a whole comprises the noble and the priestly classes, together with much of their retinue.” Leisure classes can be defined by occupations and they all share the same economic feature of not being industrial (Veblen 1899). On the other word, this group of leisure class people usually would not produce tangible goods or any other goods, which have intrinsic worth. (The intrinsic worth in this content refers to produce a tangible unit by themselves) This group of people can be a ruler, warrior, priest or wealthy entrepreneur nowadays. One interesting characteristics of this leisure class is it exists when the society accumulates sufficient or excess amount of goods to support a group of “non-productive” people, which in this case, the leisure class. In the history of evolution, human race is the only living creature in the earth that does not required to compete with other species to struggle for a room to live. However, this does not mean we do not need to face any competition throughout our life. Everyone in the society or within their community needs to face the competition with their peers. On the other word, people are competing with each other in the society. But how does this related to the leisure class?
In the primitive stage of civilisation, there is no doubt that the efficiency and productivity (on the other word “Technology”) were not as advanced as today. In those days, production and consumption are bound. If one stops producing, he/she would need to stop eating. Thus that kind of society would not be able
The purpose of this paper is to identify, explain and appraise Thorstein Veblen theses in “The Theory of the Leisure Class” (henceforth, referred to as TLC). Furthermore, this paper will discuss wether leisure class being too conservative and hinder the development of the society. To begin with, in order to identify TLC, it is essential to define what Veblen means of “leisure class” in the book. As Veblen said in TCL, “The leisure class as a whole comprises the noble and the priestly classes, together with much of their retinue.” Leisure classes can be defined by occupations and they all share the same economic feature of not being industrial (Veblen 1899). On the other word, this group of leisure class people usually would not produce tangible goods or any other goods, which have intrinsic worth. (The intrinsic worth in this content refers to produce a tangible unit by themselves) This group of people can be a ruler, warrior, priest or wealthy entrepreneur nowadays. One interesting characteristics of this leisure class is it exists when the society accumulates sufficient or excess amount of goods to support a group of “non-productive” people, which in this case, the leisure class. In the history of evolution, human race is the only living creature in the earth that does not required to compete with other species to struggle for a room to live. However, this does not mean we do not need to face any competition throughout our life. Everyone in the society or within their community needs to face the competition with their peers. On the other word, people are competing with each other in the society. But how does this related to the leisure class?
In the primitive stage of civilisation, there is no doubt that the efficiency and productivity (on the other word “Technology”) were not as advanced as today. In those days, production and consumption are bound. If one stops producing, he/she would need to stop eating. Thus that kind of society would not be able