The Theory of Leisure Class
Abstract
'Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure.' In The Theory of the Leisure Class Thorstein Veblen sets out 'to discuss the place and value of the leisure class as an economic factor in modern life'. In so doing he produced a landmark study of affluent American society that exposes, with brilliant ruthlessness, the habits of production and waste that link invidious business tactics and barbaric social behaviour. Veblen's analysis of the evolutionary process sees greed as the overriding motive in the modern economy; with an impartial gaze he examines the human cost paid when social institutions exploit the consumption of unessential goods for the sake of personal profit. Fashion, beauty, animals, sports, the home, the clergy, scholars - all are assessed for their true usefulness and found wanting. The targets of Veblen's coruscating satire are as evident today as they were a century ago, and his book still has the power to shock and enlighten. Veblen's uncompromising arguments and the influential literary force of his writing are assessed in Martha Banta's Introduction.
... Historically, luxury goods often signified success, wealth, and status-qualities that resonate deeply with high-achieving individuals who value recognition (Veblen, 2007). These products thus become symbols of their personal accomplishments, social position, and aspirations. ...
... These products thus become symbols of their personal accomplishments, social position, and aspirations. Previous studies indicate that individuals with high achievement motivation are more likely to engage in conspicuous consumption, purchasing goods that demonstrate their success to others and high social status (Veblen, 2007). For marketers, the relationship between achievement motivation and luxury consumption might be crucial for successful campaigns. ...
... Finally, at the cornerstone of marketing strategy is the willingness to pay (Anderson et al., 1992). Willingness to pay is the central decision that has put luxury goods in general and wristwatches at the forefront of conspicuous consumption (Veblen, 2007). Further study is necessary to validate a willingness to pay hypothesis. ...
Previously, Harvard psychologist David McClelland (1961) researched and applied a need for achievement, affiliation, and power in the practice of organizational behavior and management. However, little research applies McClelland's needs theory in product placement (a form of marketing promotion) for luxury goods. The general problem is that businesses may lack an effective needs assessment model for product placement. The specific problem is that some luxury goods businesses need a more effective needs assessment model for their product placements. Through the use of an observational study, a modified James Bond Thematic Apperception Test determined a significant difference in the need for achievement in Switzerland, Sweden, and Portugal. A self-reported questionnaire tested and found significant differences for heat avoidance, and cold avoidance as well.
... As Brenda Ayres points out, "For the Victorians, clothesespecially glovessignified one's position in the hierarchy of social order including gender and class" (Ayres 2024, 10). After all, the attainment of some proficiency in the protocol regarding gloves -"the voucher of a life of leisure" (Veblen [1899] 2007, 37)is beyond the reach of members of the lower classes whose time and energy are occupied by productive labor. By referring to etiquette manuals published within the century and combining Veblen's theory of the leisure class, the present paper aims to explore how characters violate or comply with relevant social etiquette in glove use, and reveal the association of their glove-use habits with their personal taste in dressing and the building of respectable image of gentility. ...
... However, his real purpose is to imply the Colonel's ignorance of clothing etiquette by highlighting the fact that the latter is gloveless. At the same time, it seems that he also has the intention of flaunting his ability to deduce the glove size that fits the Colonel solely by visual estimation, thereby using his "Oriental" uncle as a foil to his facility in etiquette and correspondingly superior positionan English gentleman of leisure who takes great pains over "the cultivation of habits of decorum" (Veblen [1899(Veblen [ ] 2007. In fact, the Colonel's breach of etiquette can be justified from at least two aspects. ...
... However, his real purpose is to imply the Colonel's ignorance of clothing etiquette by highlighting the fact that the latter is gloveless. At the same time, it seems that he also has the intention of flaunting his ability to deduce the glove size that fits the Colonel solely by visual estimation, thereby using his "Oriental" uncle as a foil to his facility in etiquette and correspondingly superior positionan English gentleman of leisure who takes great pains over "the cultivation of habits of decorum" (Veblen [1899(Veblen [ ] 2007. In fact, the Colonel's breach of etiquette can be justified from at least two aspects. ...
... Precisely because access to consumption is open to many people in Fordism, the "subtle differences" in consumer behavior play an increasingly important role (Bourdieu, 1984(Bourdieu, [1979). The American sociologist Thorstein Veblen already observed this around 1900 and described it as conspicuous consumption (Veblen, 2009(Veblen, [1899). In this context, fashion accessories, and in particular high-quality handbags, already played a central role in the fashion world of the 20th century. ...
... Precisely because access to consumption is open to many people in Fordism, the "subtle differences" in consumer behavior play an increasingly important role (Bourdieu, 1984(Bourdieu, [1979). The American sociologist Thorstein Veblen already observed this around 1900 and described it as conspicuous consumption (Veblen, 2009(Veblen, [1899). In this context, fashion accessories, and in particular high-quality handbags, already played a central role in the fashion world of the 20th century. ...
Through the in-depth analysis of a complex participatory work by US artist Stephanie Syjuco, this essay shows how contemporary art can critically reflect on its own problematic proximity to the values of post-Fordist work and the global economy. At the same time, the activist potential of this work is highlighted in regard to feminist goals. Finally, it is argued that Stephanie Syjuco’s work can be understood as a critical contribution to a certain canonization of relational art.
... The works of Thorstein Veblen (1899) and Clarence Ayres (1927 and1962) within the framework of Original Institutional Economics have highlighted the significant role of science, education, and expertise in shaping social institutions. However, there remains a need for a deeper exploration of how institutionalists contribute to our comprehension of the development of knowledge, the evolution of scientific practices, and the influence of institutional structures on these processes. ...
... Institutional economics posits that these socially embedded preferences prompt individuals to make choices that reinforce established societal structures and hierarchies. This dynamic parallelly mirrors the function of ceremonial exchanges, which serve to maintain and affirm social bonds and relationships (Veblen, 1899). ...
... Even though there are many researches on brand loyalty, it still needs to investigate additional underlying mechanism of brand loyalty and other brand related constructs. Veblen (1994) originally developed a framework of conspicuous consumption. In this theory, preferences are determined socially in relation to individuals' positions in the social hierarchy in contrast to the approach that focuses on individual's maximization of utility on the basis of exogenous preferences (Shukla, 2008). ...
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of conspicuous brand usage between brand experience and brand loyalty in relational perspective, and to probe the difference between the positively experienced consumers and the negatives. Research design, data and methodology: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and other brands were suggested as consideration set to be selected from 223 Amazon Mechanical Turk respondents, and they answered the structured survey of 33 questions made by Qualtrics with 5-point Likert scale. Structural Equations Model (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized model, and RStudio and SPSS 18 were used to analyze the dataset. Results: It was confirmed that the more consumers have positive brand experience, the more they are loyal to brand. Conspicuous brand usage can be positively mediated, and consumers who experienced high conspicuous brand usage are more likely to be loyal to the brand. Conclusions: It is noteworthy to find the mediating effect of conspicuous brand usage, and the hidden mechanism between brand experience and brand loyalty. Managers can promote positive conspicuous brand usage when consumers get in touch with product and service channels. By providing impressive conspicuous brand experience, the brand loyalty of the band can be enhanced.
... Sociological theories emphasize the role of luxury goods as markers of social status and identity. Thorstein Veblen's concept of conspicuous consumption highlights how individuals use luxury products to display wealth and elevate their position [7]. Similarly, Pierre Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital extends this understanding by demonstrating that luxury goods function as tools for asserting cultural sophistication and reinforcing class distinctions [8]. ...
Luxury goods consumption is often driven by irrational behaviors due to emotional, psychological, and social factors. This research explores the central question of how psychological influences shape irrational luxury consumption and examines the role of marketing strategies employed by luxury brands and secondhand markets. Previous studies have investigated concepts like conspicuous consumption, identity signaling, and emotional drivers as critical aspects of luxury consumer behavior. Addressing this topic is essential because it sheds light on unsustainable consumption patterns while offering solutions like secondhand markets to mitigate financial and environmental impacts. Using a combination of theoretical analysis and case studies, this research evaluates the psychological, sociological, and economic dimensions of luxury consumption. Findings reveal that irrational consumption stems from a convergence of social status desires, emotional needs, and scarcity tactics, while secondhand markets offer a sustainable alternative by extending product life cycles and expanding access to luxury goods. The insights emphasize the importance of cultivating responsible consumer practices and promoting the growth of secondhand markets to balance individual desires with economic and environmental sustainability.
... Mevcut araştırmalar (Snyder, 1992;Veblen, 1994;Phau ve Prendergast, 2000;Clark vd., 2008) eşsizlik arayışının lüks tüketimi önemli ölçüde etkilediğini göstermektedir. Özellikle yaratıcı seçimle aykırılık faktörü, lüks tüketimle sıkça ilişkilendirilmektedir çünkü lüks tüketim genellikle bireylerin benzersizlik ve prestij arayışıyla bağlantılıdır. ...
Günümüzde, bireylerin kendilerini diğerlerinden farklı kılma ve özgünlüklerini ifade etme eğilimleri artmaktadır. Ancak bu farklılaşmayı sosyal normlara aykırı düşmeden yapmak istemektedirler, mülkiyet de bu farklılaşmanın ılımlı bir yoludur. Bu da bireylerin belirli ürünleri tercih etme ve tüketim alışkanlıklarında özgün ve kişisel bir yaklaşım benimsemelerine neden olmaktadır. Bu araştırmanın amacı, Türk tüketici ile Orta Doğu kültürüne sahip tüketicinin eşsizlik ihtiyacının karşılaştırmalı olarak incelenmesidir. Bu amaçla 5-7 Haziran 2024 tarihleri arasında Türk ve Orta Doğulu öğrencilere anketler ulaştırılmış ve 228 katılımcıya ulaşılmıştır. Eşsizlik ihtiyacı ve tüketici eşsizlik ihtiyacını oluşturan üç alt boyut olan yaratıcı seçim, popüler olmayan seçim, benzerlikten kaçınmaı bağlamında hipotezler oluşturulmuş ve test edilmiştir. Bağımsız gruplar t-testi sonucunda, Türk ve Orta Doğulu öğrencilerin eşsizlik ihtiyacının anlamlı farklılık gösterdiği görülmüştür. Orta Doğulu öğrencilerin eşsizlik ihtiyacı genel puanları Türk öğrencilerin eşsizlik ihtiyacı genel puanlarından yüksektir. Orta Doğulu öğrencilerin yaratıcı seçim puanları da Türk öğrencilerin yaratıcı seçim puanlarından yüksek bulunmuştur. Bununla birlikte popüler olmayan seçim ve benzerlikten kaçınma puanları anlamlı farklılık göstermemiştir.
... However, Veblen was also skeptical of the New Woman and other social reformers, questioning whether their efforts truly departed from a life centered on the pursuit of prestige. 38 While their welfare work appeared to reject status-driven values, these women often retained the habits of the leisure class, especially its emphasis on the display of status. In Dana's case, her home captures this paradox: here, Wright's vision of democratic simplicity confronts the reality of grand homes for the wealthy, where layout, décor, and furnishings showcased refined, modern taste. ...
Recent scholarship in the history of modern interior design has moved beyond the rhetoric of the avant-garde to recognize the enduring importance of style as an expression of social identity and taste as a mediator between design and broader cultural trends. This shift highlights the complex interplay between aesthetic choices and socio-cultural dynamics. As a case study of this interplay, this paper employs a Veblenian perspective—based on the work of economist Thorstein Veblen, notably his 1899 book The Theory of the Leisure Class—to reexamine one of the most iconic examples of modern furniture: Frank Lloyd Wright’s highbacked dining chair. Specifically, the paper explores the role of Wright’s chair in the context of the formal dining room of one of Wright’s largest Prairie-style houses, the Susan Lawrence Dana House in Springfield, Illinois, completed in 1903. Shifting focus from the production to the consumption of furniture, the paper investigates how Wright’s dining chairs defined the relationship between what Veblen called the “leisure” and “laboring” classes within this domestic realm. Viewed in situ, Wright’s iconic chair reveals a dichotomy deeply embedded within its design. While it was an advertisement for advanced industrial production, it also served as a luxury item created to fulfill the imperative of conspicuous consumption.
... Recently, two perspectives have been proposed are not in Fig.1, the 5th Wave or geopolitical approach (Montiel, Tomaselli and Soto, 2022; and the family business ecosystem (Montiel, Carvalho and Martinez, 2022;Ratten, 2024). Veblen (1899Veblen ( , 1919 was the first to identify the dysfunctional aspects of the entrepreneurial process. In contrast to his contemporaries, Veblen started to view contemporary entrepreneurs as cunning manipulators, profiteers, predatory classes, and tough robber barons. ...
Purpose: To explore and connect the potential elements identified as dysfunctional in family businesses (DYSFB), where productive, unproductive, and destructive aspects are underscored. Methodological design: A documentary review focused on identifying relevant scholars and academic works that address this dysfunctional dimension. Results: The "dysfunctional side" analysis provides a significant and novel contribution to family business (FB) studies. It establishes a framework for future theoretical and empirical research on deviations from ideal conditions within such organizations. Research limitations: A notable limitation is the need for further empirical research to substantiate the proposed theoretical model, which may lead to a more precise definition of the construct, as well as a clearer understanding of the factors or forces that drive DYSFB from a systemic perspective Findings: The viability of advancing a new school of thought devoted to studying dysfunctionality in family businesses (DYSFB). The theoretical model posited here lays a foundation for future research and holds considerable potential to inform public policy, shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and influence entrepreneurship education.
... That is, rather than organic sets of preferences, or spontaneous cultural dynamics, tastes for consumer products and services reflect the wish, particularly of bourgeois and the upper class, to indicate to the surrounding world their superior status. We can observe that this sociological work is in harmony with an earlier treatise that studies the similar phenomenon from the perspective of economic discourse in Theory of the Leisure Class, written by Thorstein Veblen [68]. ...
Causal Learning has emerged as a major theme of AI in recent years, promising to use special techniques to reveal the true nature of cause and effect in a number of important domains. We consider the Epistemology of learning and recognizing true cause and effect phenomena. Through thought exercises on the customary use of the word ''cause'', especially in scientific domains, we investigate what, in practice, constitutes a valid causal claim. We recognize the word's uses across scientific domains in disparate form but consistent function within the scientific paradigm. We highlight fundamental distinctions of practice that can be performed in the natural and social sciences, highlight the importance of many systems of interest being open and irreducible and identify the important notion of Hermeneutic knowledge for social science inquiry. We posit that the distinct properties require that definitive causal claims can only come through an agglomeration of consistent evidence across multiple domains and levels of abstraction, such as empirical, physiological, biochemical, etc. We present Cognitive Science as an exemplary multi-disciplinary field providing omnipresent opportunity for such a Research Program, and highlight the main general modes of practice of scientific inquiry that can adequately merge, rather than place as incorrigibly conflictual, multi-domain multi-abstraction scientific practices and language games.
... The literature on the factors that determine subjective well-being or life satisfaction or happiness of individuals 1 is vast. 2 The empirical work has focused mainly on the effect of income: own absolute income, the income of a reference group relative to one's own income, and income inequality. The idea that relative position matters to an individual's subjective well-being has a long history in the social science literature (e.g., Diener & Biswas-Diener, 2002;Duesenberry, 1949, Easterlin, 1974and Veblen, 1899) and there is substantial empirical support. In empirical studies, the reference group has been measured in two different ways: persons with similar characteristics, and residents of a specific geographical location. ...
In recent years, a small number of studies have emphasized that subjective well-being of individuals depends not only on income but also consumption and wealth. However, only a few have examined the influence of all three variables simultaneously. Empirical studies have also analyzed the role of self-centered and community-centered inequalities but the inclusion of both measures in the same specification is scarce. In a departure from much of the existing literature, this paper analyzes concurrently the influence of all three economic well-being indicators and both types of inequalities on subjective well-being. We find that absolute levels of income, consumption and wealth all have a significant positive effect that remains robust even after the inclusion of self-centered and community-centered inequalities in the regression equations. The evidence indicates that both types of inequalities are important considerations for subjective well-being, but with different influences. Self-centered inequality measured using reference group average has a positive signaling effect, while inequality defined by the position of an individual within the distribution of the relevant economic well-being indicator has a negative comparison effect. Whereas community-centered inequality in income has a positive signaling effect, consumption and wealth inequalities have a negative comparison effect.
... Neysluhyggja er, að mati Baumans (1998), ráðandi hugmyndafraeði nútímasamfélags og hrein andstaeða vinnusiðferðis: Á meðan vinnan er félagsleg, er neyslan er einstaklingsathöfn; í stað sjálfsstjórnar og skuldbindingar felur neysluhyggjan í sér narsissisma og saeldarhyggju og í stað þess að vinnan sé mikilvaeg í sjálfu sér er hún aðeins mikilvaeg til að afla launa. Samfélagsmiðlar hafa svo skapað taekifaeri til að gera neyslu og upplifanir sýnilegri en áður (Siepmann o.fl., 2022), en með "sýndarneyslu" staðfestir fólk félagslega og efnahagslega stöðu sína (Veblen, 1997(Veblen, [1899). Með þessu kunna samfélagsmiðlar að hafa ýtt undir mikilvaegi frítímans og neyslu á kostnað vinnunnar. ...
Concerns about the declining importance of work have inspired numerous studies in recent decades. Explanations for this alleged decline have not the least been sought in the entrance of new generations into the labour market. The main objective of this article is to assess and distinguish generational and period effects on the importance of work, or so-called work centrality. With this in mind, the results of two population surveys on work centrality conducted in 2012 and 2022 among VR members, the largest union in Iceland, are compared. The results are compared between surveys, age groups and generations: Boomers, Generation X (GenX), Millennials (GenY) and Generation Z (GenZ). The results reveal a strong period effect and that work centrality declines between the two surveys – across age groups and generations. Generational effects are also notable in both surveys. The results also show that work is more central to the oldest generation (Boomers) compared to the younger ones, but small differences are found in work centrality among the younger generations.
... La empresa moderna es hija del imperio en un sentido literal, y por ende no puede desarrollarse por fuera de sus lógicas, aunque lo busque. Incluso cuando existan otros objetivos organizacionales, la dialéctica histórica sobre la que se construye la noción de empresa y de capitalismo (y hasta de acumulación) es la de un fenómeno que tiene un componente de depredación ineludible y decisivo (Veblen, 2017). La empresa es, entonces, la tecnología que está en la base del nuevo paradigma, y es esencial para cualquier continuidad posible dentro del capitalismo. ...
La etapa actual del capitalismo a nivel global puede ser definida como una crisis de hegemonía, producto de su exitosa difusión por la gran mayoría de los territorios del mundo. Esta difusión global se vincula estrechamente con los procesos imperialistas iniciados por las potencias europeas a fines del siglo XIX que permitieron la expansión del mercado internacional de manufacturas industriales. A principios del siglo XXI, se observa una reconfiguración en las relaciones económicas atravesada por la deslocalización de la producción en el marco de las cadenas globales de valor que acentúa los procesos de exclusión y desigualdad entre países en un contexto estructural de centro y periferia que no ha variado (por lo menos sustancialmente) desde entonces. Esta crisis de hegemonía plantea dos grandes desafíos de cara al futuro: por un lado manifiesta la incompatibilidad creciente entre la búsqueda despiadada de beneficios económicos individuales y las agendas democráticas occidentales; por otro lado, pone de relieve una lógica de apropiación de la vida y de los cuerpos por parte del capital que impone nuevos límites éticos al proceso de acumulación.
... A experiência de passar pelo ritual do batismo nas águas do Rio Jordão, o mesmo rio em que, segundo a narrativa bíblica, Jesus foi batizado, como relatado no Evangelho de Mateus, capítulo 3, versículos 4 a 16 (NVI, 2020), é um bem de prestígio do turismo religioso mundial, algo possível apenas para poucas pessoas, e indicativo do padrão de vida e do status social de Jair Bolsonaro (Veblen, 2008;Bourdieu, 2007 -identificado com a morte e com o pecado, "com tudo de ruim que taí", como 74 costumam dizer Bolsonaro e seus seguidores -e a ascensão do novo líder 5 . A queda, a ascensão, a morte e o "novo nascimento". ...
This study proposes a preliminary discussion on the circulation of graphisms, images and discourses around Jair Messias Bolsonaro. We highlight the myriad religious and pararreligious mediations whereby his antagonists and sympathisers try to make sense of his character, since the articulation of his platform — still on the eve of the 2016 coup d’état — and until the vicissitudes of his presidency. We argue that, in the making of his platform, there was a transition, marked by performances and exhibitions of his image, such as his baptism in the Jordan River, toward the elements that made Bolsonaro into a decisive leadership and a point of resonance for Brazilian conservatism. Among supporters, Bolsonaro's baptism reinforces the view of him as a heroic and messianic leader, an incarnation of the national State itself. Among critics, some of whom are linked to specific institutional religions, the baptism presents him as an opportunist, an anti-hero who disrespects the State, religion and human life. We conclude that these discourses, in their diversity, resort to common religious beliefs in Brazil as powerful metaideological tools, capable of provoking both distancing and intense mobilisation.
... For instance, it is widely accepted in behavioural economics, and has been for known for over a century (Veblen, 1899;Duesenberry, 1949;Hirsch, 1977;Kahneman and Tversky, 1979;Easterlin, 2001;Ariely, 2008;Clark et al., 2008;Frank, 2011;Layard, 2011;Barberis, 2013), that individual preferences are not defined for absolute allocation of commodities, but rather allocation relative to some reference point or "anchor". Often, this reference point or anchor is other's consumption patterns, in which case we have, for instance ...
The purpose of this paper is to provide a confession of sorts from an economist to political science and philosophy. A confession of the weaknesses of the political position of the economist. It is intended as a guide for political scientists and philosophers to the ostensible policy criteria of economics, and an illustration of an argument that demonstrates logico-mathematically, therefore incontrovertibly, that any policy statement by an economist contains, or is, a political statement. It develops an inescapable compulsion that the absolute primacy and priority of political theory and philosophy in the development of policy criteria must be recognised. Economic policy cannot be divorced from politics as a matter of mathematical fact, and rather, as Amartya Sen has done, it ought embrace political theory and philosophy.
... Discussions with Max made it clear that knowledge of what is "tasteful" and "elitist", especially regarding food, is critical to his cultural capital (Bourdieu 2018) and ability to acquire social prestige. Veblen (2017) argues that upper-class members consume luxury products to dissociate themselves from those they perceive as a lower class. In contrast, those who belong to or identify with the lower level, consume luxury products to imitate or associate themselves with the wealthy class (Han, Nunes and Drèze 2010;Rink 2019). ...
... Signalling is used to explain phenomena as diverse as education (Spence, 1973), conspicuous consumption (Veblen, 1899) and issuing equity (Leland and Pyle, 1977). Many authors have mentioned the relevance of time (Weiss, 1983;Admati and Perry, 1987) and noise (Matthews and Mirman, 1983) in signalling contexts. ...
This paper examines signalling when the sender exerts effort and receives benefits over time. Receivers only observe a noisy public signal about the effort, which has no intrinsic value. The modelling of signalling in a dynamic context gives rise to novel equilibrium outcomes. In some equilibria, a sender with a higher cost of effort exerts strictly more effort than his low-cost counterpart. The low-cost type can compensate later for initial low effort, but this is not worthwhile for a high-cost type. The interpretation of a given signal switches endogenously over time, depending on which type the receivers expect to send it. JEL classification: D82, D83, C73. Keywords: Dynamic games, signalling , incomplete information
... At that time, scientists emphasised that consumption patterns reflect social status, lifestyles and cultural values. Veblen introduced the concept of "conspicuous consumption" to demonstrate social status and gain recognition (Veblen, 2007). This perspective prepared the ground for contemporary discussions on responsible consumption, which now includes various social aspects. ...
The modern consumer society is criticised for its harmful impact on individual well-being and the environment, prompting a call for a transition to responsible consumption. This article explores emerging trends in consumer behaviour towards responsible consumption. Drawing from existing literature and empirical findings, it examines the multifaceted dimensions of responsible consumption, encompassing environmental, ethical, and social considerations. Conscious consumers prioritise basic needs over excessive consumption, opting for high-quality, reliable, and environmentally friendly products, especially those derived from biomaterials called bio-based products. Furthermore, responsible consumers recognise the social and environmental consequences of their consumption behaviour, advocating for sustainable practices and supporting initiatives for societal improvement. The article discusses conscious consumption aiming to mitigate consumerism’s environmental impact, focusing on bio-based products. Insights from focus group discussions conducted in Poland, Finland, the Netherlands, and Spain, as part of the 3-CO project, shed light on consumer perceptions and concerns regarding bio-based products, providing valuable input for decision-makers, businesses, and environmental organisations seeking to promote responsible consumer behaviour and support the transition towards more sustainable consumption patterns.
... Shawls are sold through retail outlets, by word of mouth, and through the old shawl walla I remember from my childhood in Delhi who visits festivals and home celebrations (Hardy 2001;Koul 2003). Recent work in Kashmir (Dec 2022) also notes the start of the shawl being marketed and sold through social media platforms, with young and upcoming businesses requesting the need for training in this specific sector. 2 The shawl, however, retains its reputation, with the name 'Pashmina' evoking images of luxury and conspicuous consumption (Veblen 1899), like carpets from Iran or blown glass from Murano. ...
... Economistul american J.M. Buchanan introduce dilema samariteanului în raport cu actul de caritate -dilema alegerii beneficiarului carității între îmbunătățirea situației economico-sociale și utilizarea carității ca mijloc de supraviețuire. T. Veblen, în studiul Teoria clasei fără griji, teoretizează despre "faza prădătoare" de agresivitate și dominare prin care trec copiii și care e mai pronunțată la băieți [17]. Abordând comportamentul deviant al copiilor, G.S. Becker a introdus conceptul economic al "teoremei copilului răsfățat" în lucrarea sa de economie a familiei Un tratat despre familie (1981) [18]. ...
This paper investigates the progression of economic thought on children in need, highlighting pivotal transitions from early economic theories to contemporary perspectives. Initially, children were regarded as economic assets, with necessity of child labour being rationalized for national prosperity. Industrialization exposed the exploitative conditions of child labour, prompting significant social reforms and protective legislation. Modern psychology and sociology have deepened the comprehension of child development, emphasizing early education and health. Evidencebased strategies from behavioral economics and randomized trials now guide effective policy interventions. A multidisciplinary approach is decisive in enhancing conditions for vulnerable children, by ensuring that they can realize their full potential in a supportive environment.
... Economistul american J.M. Buchanan introduce dilema samariteanului în raport cu actul de caritate -dilema alegerii beneficiarului carității între îmbunătățirea situației economico-sociale și utilizarea carității ca mijloc de supraviețuire. T. Veblen, în studiul Teoria clasei fără griji, teoretizează despre "faza prădătoare" de agresivitate și dominare prin care trec copiii și care e mai pronunțată la băieți [17]. Abordând comportamentul deviant al copiilor, G.S. Becker a introdus conceptul economic al "teoremei copilului răsfățat" în lucrarea sa de economie a familiei Un tratat despre familie (1981) [18]. ...
Change is ubiquitous, being a constant element that impacts both individuals and organizations. This article makes a brief foray into the concept of organizational change and generations. It also elucidated the factors that influence the workforce’s response to organizational change: personal interest (personal costs of adapting to change), psychological reasons (fear of the unknown, fear of not adapting to change), emotional reasons (loss of motivation, denial of the need for change), approach to change (lack of communication, non-participation), perception of change (lack of understanding of what needs to be done and expected results, negative experiences related to change), cultural biases (change in habits of doing things, conflict between change vs values and beliefs of recipients), historical organizational relationships (nature of employee-manager relationship, internal rivalries). In this article, the perspective of different generations of employees on the phenomenon is examined as a matter of priority. The literature reports rather equivocal results regarding the degree of openness or resistance to change of the various generations, but somewhat shifts the difficulty of understanding the phenomenon. The work aims to support managers in increasing their ability to cope with the ever-changing environment, as well as the skills to effectively manage different generations of employees along the way.
Interdisciplinary discussions around the concept of luxury have been ongoing for centuries and is reflected in the history of many of the great civilizations. While definitions and experiences of luxury vary according to writer and individual, the discussion of luxury brands and their management have also been explored in depth. This chapter explores the management of luxury brands in dynamic times such as the changing times of the past few years which included a global pandemic, outbreaks of war in various countries, cost of living crisis and turbulent political conditions. We start by bringing the definitions of luxury together, exploring the drivers of luxury consumption and discussing the impact of dynamic times on luxury consumption behaviour. The aim of exploring the various socio-economic, technological and consumer-based changes on luxury brands is to determine the methods of being proactive in managing luxury brands. Proactivity is essential in these times for luxury brands to maintain their viability, profitability and timelessness by embracing the dynamics of contemporary society.
Hiroyasu Uemura’s book Japanese Institutionalist Post-Keynesians Revisited: Inheritance from Marx, Keynes, and Institutionalism represents a significant contribution to the field of institutional economics and the post-Keynesian tradition, particularly within the Japanese academic context. This review will examine the key arguments and contributions of the author, exploring both the originality of his approach and the challenges and limitations his analysis presents. The book’s central thesis will be evaluated in relation to its capacity to illuminate contemporary transformations in capitalism and offer theoretical and practical solutions to the economic and social problems of the modern world.
Empirical evidence has demonstrated the essential role of income distribution and richer households’ consumption patterns in determining excessive consumption–generated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To analyse this issue at the theoretical level, we employ the distinction between subsistence and luxury emissions and examine the connection between income distribution and environmentally wasteful emissions caused by luxury consumption. In our model, physical surplus production makes room for positive profitability. Income in the form of profits enables wasteful luxury consumption and boosts consumption–generated GHG emissions. We illustrate greener consumption, reformist and just transition scenarios to delineate social and environmental boundaries. Only the just transition scenario is found to be a viable option to respect both boundaries.
Empirical happiness research clearly shows that life satisfaction depends, among other things, on relative effects. However, even where the data do not permit any inferences regarding the mechanisms that give rise to relative effects, studies often claim that relative effects are the result of comparisons that individuals make between their situation and that of others. We argue that this interpretation is not always justified because it disregards existing alternative interpretations with strong empirical support and a long tradition in the literature. To structure the interpretation of relative effects, we propose a model that distinguishes between the relative effects that influence aspirations and those that influence capabilities (i.e., the objective opportunities available to a person). We show where a number of relative effects fall into place in this model and we discuss the significance of our model for life satisfaction research.
Sosyal medya, gösterişçi tüketimi artıran bir faktör olarak, bireylerin toplum içindeki statülerini sergileme ve kendilerini ifade etme aracı haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışmada, sosyal medyanın gösterişçi tüketime etkisi ve Batman Üniversitesi öğrencileri üzerindeki yansımaları incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın amacı, sosyal medya kullanımının gösterişçi tüketim üzerindeki etkisini belirlemek ve bu bağlamda Batman Üniversitesi öğrencilerinin sosyal medya alışkanlıklarının tüketim davranışlarına nasıl yansıdığını ortaya koymaktır. Bu amaçla, Batman Üniversitesi'nde öğrenim gören 540 öğrenciye anket uygulanmıştır. Veriler, istatistiksel analiz programlarına kaydedilerek analiz edilmiştir. Güvenilirlik analizi, faktör analizi, t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (Anova), ve regresyon analizleri gibi istatistiksel yöntemler kullanılmıştır. Analizler sonucunda, sosyal medya kullanımının gösterişçi tüketim üzerinde pozitif yönlü ve anlamlı bir etkisinin olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bunun yanında, öğrencilerin gelir düzeyleri ve sosyal medya kullanım sıklıklarının, gösterişçi tüketim davranışları üzerinde önemli bir etkisi olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Çalışmanın bulguları doğrultusunda, gösterişçi tüketimin sosyal medya aracılığıyla nasıl şekillendiği ve tüketici davranışlarının nasıl yönlendirildiği konusunda çeşitli öneriler sunulmuştur. Bu öneriler arasında, sosyal medya kullanımı konusunda bilinç düzeyinin artırılması, tüketicilerin koruyucu tedbirlerle desteklenmesi ve gösterişçi tüketim eğilimlerinin olumsuz etkilerinin azaltılması yer almaktadır. Araştırma, sosyal medyanın tüketici davranışları üzerindeki etkilerini anlamak ve bu etkileri yönetmek adına önemli katkılar sağlamaktadır.
In this article, I explore connections among sport, competition, and capitalist society by drawing from works in the philosophy of sport and critical theory. Initially, I identify games, especially sports, as fundamental activities in contemporary life. In particular, I claim that the glorification of victory in sporting contests permeates the attitude toward competition of individuals in capitalist societies. Thus, sports can be understood as windows to observe the “achievement ethos” inherent in capitalism. Subsequently, I explore both philosophical victory-centric and mutualistic views of sporting competition. What follows from this examination is that competition itself is not inherently negative. It becomes detrimental when pursued at any cost. In alignment with Robert L. Simon’s sport mutualism, I advocate that competition may yield positive moral and social outcomes when approached as a “mutual quest for excellence.” To conclude, I trace this positive, mutualistic conception of competition back to ancient Greek and post-Hellenic reflections on agōn and excellence.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity on luxury consumption in the skincare industry, considering the promising US$13.9 billion beauty and personal care market in India, as estimated by Euromonitor International. Data were collected from 200 male and female participants in the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, belonging to various geographic groups and income levels. Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between observed and latent variables, while regression analysis was employed to determine the impact of physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity on luxury consumption. The study reveals that physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity positively affect luxury product consumption, with brand equity having the most significant impact. The associations between luxury consumption and physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity were found to be statistically meaningful. The findings offer valuable insights for skincare market marketers, allowing them to identify opportunities and strategize to capture untapped markets in the country. Additionally, the results enable them to understand the relative influence of the three factors – physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity – on luxury consumption. This research contributes to the understanding of the positive effects of physical Vanity, achievement vanity, and brand equity on luxury product consumption. The survey-based approach offers a comprehensive yet succinct overview of the existing literature and its implications, benefiting both luxury brand managers and future researchers.
The paradoxical nature of the existence and functioning of power elites is not a new fact. However, it has been the object of few studies. This is due to the ambiguity of the term and of the phenomenon itself,which is described under the name “elite”. This applies equally to the “paradox”. The author, based on the principles of institutional analysis and starting from the theory of structuration and the theory of paradox in its managerial version, studies both concepts and offers an approach to the analysis of the elite paradox. Firstly, the contradictory position of the power elites in the societal system is revealed: being a subsystem, they regulate and direct the functioning of the entire system. Secondly, the multidirectional nature of the system requirements for the elites is studied. Thirdly, the discrepancy perceived by the observer between the expected characteristics and functions (based on ideas about the role of elites in the social system) and those that are actually recorded are considered. These variants represent the modes of the basic structural paradox of the part and the whole. Elites are derivatives of the social order, and they are also active agents in its formation and consolidation of the principles of its functioning. At the same time, elites are forced to go beyond the framework of the normative system they themselves protect. Otherwise, their main function - the stabilization of the system - will not be realized. The poly-role nature of elite individuals and their control of resources can lead to the privatization of power institutions and the realization of group and personal interests to the detriment of public ones. In modern society, the forced openness of the elite leads to a paradox of public intimacy. Elites are doomed to a transborder existence and ambivalent characteristics, primarily moral ones.
Objective: The study aims to understand the social perceptions of Qatari society towards luxury consumption and to explore if these perceptions vary across demographic and social characteristics such as gender, age, and occupational position. Methods: The social perceptions theory was applied to primary data collected from 187 Qatari consumers through the free association method in addition to four meetings of focus group discussions. Results: the results indicated that luxury consumption emerged during the last three decades because of the globalization process, expansion in digital advertising and increase percapita income. Despite the variation in respondents' perceptions towards the emergence of the phenomenon, most participants consider luxury consumption as a non-essential type of consumption that is associated with negative behaviors like waste and extravagance, which contradict traditions and religious values. The study also found no significant differences in perceptions towards luxury consumption according to gender, educational level, and age, which implies that the perceptions are stable in the collective memory. Conclusion: luxury consumption is a relatively recent phenomenon in Qatar, and religion, values and community awareness could potentially play a significant role in controlling its spread.
El artículo aborda la función material que ocupa en nuestro tiempo la universidad, y dentro de ella las humanidades, en relación con la generación, apropiación y fiscalización del saber. Para ello se abordan sus contemporáneas formas de corporativización, precarización laboral, mercantilización y burocratización, y se elabora un marco teórico materialista que permite analizarlas en relación con las estructuras vigentes de producción capitalista. El marco teórico es estructurado con base en los conceptos de general intellect (Karl Marx), cuerpo y técnica (Paolo Virno), y experiencia (Walter Benjamin), y sirve a los autores para ofrecer un análisis acerca de la impotencia que exhiben las humanidades a la hora de actualizar algún componente de la promesa material que algunos teóricos identifican en aquel saber público denominado general intellect. El artículo sugiere que dicha impotencia radica en la promoción de una experiencia laboral universitaria signada por la ambigüedad de la técnica (que oscila entre su ausencia y falsa presencia), la aislación individual, la precariedad material y temporal, y la generación endémica de síntomas tanto físicos como anímicos en sus trabajadores (docentes e investigadores). Como saldo, se recomienda orientar el análisis de estos problemas hacia la dificultosa relación que la universidad traba con el general intellect.
The paper reconstructs the Marxian circuit of capital model to identify distinctive dynamics of the growth and reproduction of the total capital stock. The growth of the financial, productive, and commercial capital stock and the reproduction of the capital-labor relation in this model is primarily induced by the change in both the three capital flows that link the three capital stocks and time-lags tied to the accumulation of each capital stock. The paper develops a representative Marxian circuit of capital model in a single sector and conducts a series of comparative dynamic analyses through simulations. The simulation result shows that there exist nonlinear interactions among the three capital stocks that generate divergent growth patterns of the total capital stock, and these dynamic interactions are induced by the change in both three capital flows and time-lags required for the reproduction of the system. The simulation approach to the model also sheds light into the nature and effect of financialization and the realization crisis on the growth pattern of the three capital stocks, in which delays in either mobilizing financial capital outlay or in sales of final products alters the composition of the total capital stock, thereby pointing to the potential presence of distinct and divergent “growth regimes” of capital accumulation.
This study explores the role of digital representations of products with respect to reproduction mechanisms of designed objects, including doings with objects – practices – and the user subjects. To understand these relationships, practice theory that explains objects, subjects and practices as co-constituted is instrumental. The study builds on the concept of digital habitus, an appropriation of Bourdieu’s habitus that includes digital technologies within the reproduction patterns of social practices and so designed objects. Focusing on school bags as physical objects and their digital representations on social media, data is collected by social media harvesting and interviewing 23 high school students. The ways in which designed objects, digital environments, and the user reproduce one another is analysed. It is found that in some cases digital representations are actively utilised to interfere with the real world and in some cases the effect of digital representations on the real world is rather obscure and passive. What catches attention is that these moments of interactions are not designed into these products, rather they are enacted as users live in the digital habitus. Hence, the study aims to provide insights to guide product designers in contemporary product ecosystem that includes digitalized circulation of meaning, by pointing out the ways in which digital representations circulate in the physical realm of our interaction with designed objects.
The 16th century in Italy was an era of great cultural ferment, characterized by
an intense exchange of ideas, goods and influences between the various European powers
and the neighboring Eastern Empires, including the Ottoman Empire. Despite the climate
of hostility, the “metus hostilis” towards the Turks, and the conflicts with the latter, during
the 16th century, an obsession with what came from the East further developed. This
article aims to explore the role of Ottoman fashion and style in the Italian Peninsula during
this period, analyzing the artistic, cultural, and social influences that shaped Renaissance
aesthetics and taste for these “status symbols”.
British American Tobacco (BAT) introduced mass machine production of cigarettes in Egypt. Yet, this chapter offers a counter-narrative to the simple technological trickledown from the centre to the periphery that is often associated with the spread of mass manufacturing of cigarettes worldwide. It documents a close intertwining of producers and consumers or prosumption in Egypt’s tobacco market, where BAT closely engaged with consumers through its local subsidiary Eastern Tobacco Company. Eastern’s success in monopolising mass production was not merely the result of the inexpensive output. Eastern had to adjust constantly and closely to changing consumers’ preferences in a market where, as economic conditions declined, consumers compromised on type and quality rather than on the quantity of their smoke. Such an exchange between a global innovation in cigarette production and local preferences in cigarette consumption illustrates the glocal integration of Egypt into the world economy during this period. The chapter draws on tobacco import statistics, business and economic reports, ethnographic evidence on smoking practices, and analysis of advertisements in the Egyptian press.
Examining herd behavior in the stock market is crucial due to its impact on market volatility and stability. Therefore, this study focuses on the effect of firm size and market returns by analyzing this phenomenon using the TV method. The use of the TV method is important for two reasons: first, it is more suitable for identifying macro-level herd behavior and better captures collective trading tendencies among investors; second, its independence from asset pricing models reduces computational biases. Findings indicate that herd behavior is more common in larger firms compared to smaller ones, which can be attributed to factors such as intrinsic value bias, media coverage, and investor preferences. Larger firms attract more attention, leading to increased media coverage, which in turn promotes herd behavior among investors. Additionally, this study examines herd behavior in conditions of both high and low market returns. Results show that, for both large and small firms, the level of herd behavior rises with an increase in positive returns as well as negative returns.
Bu çalışma, sosyal medyanın pazarlama stratejileri ve tüketici davranışları üzerindeki önemli etkisini inceleyerek, etkileşimli dijital kanalların tüketici alışkanlıkları ve marka dinamikleri üzerindeki demografik etkisinin bir analizini sunmaktadır. Dünya çapında yaklaşık 4,88 milyar sosyal medya kullanıcısıyla, sosyal medya platformları tüketici davranışlarını önemli ölçüde yeniden şekillendirmiş ve işletmelerin pazarlama stratejilerini bu değişikliklerle uyumlu bir şekilde uyarlamaları gerektiğinin altını çizmektedir. Çalışma kapsamında, Marshall’ın ekonomik modeli, Pavlovian modeli, Veblen modeli ve Nicosia modeli de dahil olmak üzere çeşitli modelleri ele almaktadır. Bu modellerin her biri, sosyal medya bağlamında tüketici davranışının farklı bir yönünü açıklamaktadır. Türkiye’ye odaklanan ampirik araştırma, sosyal medya fenomenlerinin cinsiyet, yaş, eğitim ve gelir düzeyi gibi tüketici demografik özellikleri üzerindeki etkisini tespit etmeye çalışmıştır. Çalışmada tanımlayıcı istatistikler, faktör analizi, Cronbach Alpha analizi, Kolmogorov-Simirnov testi, t-testleri ve tek yönlü varyans (ANOVA) analizleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, özellikle kadınlar, daha genç bireyler ve daha düşük gelir ve eğitim seviyesine sahip olanlar arasında önemli bir etkileyici etkisi olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu sonuçlar, sosyal medyanın modern pazarlamadaki önemli rolünü vurgulamakta ve işletmelerin tüketicilerle daha etkili bir şekilde etkileşim kurmak ve bilinçli pazarlama kararları almak için bu platformlardan stratejik olarak yararlanmaları gerektiğini göstermektedir.
This article is part of a special issue of the Journal of Ancient History , “Social Biographies of the Ancient World.” It presents the fundamental elements of Bourdieu’s sociological field theory before adapting them to apply to the study of ancient, premodern societies. By reverse-engineering the theory’s developmental process through the work of Bourdieu, the article underscores the process by which he came to develop his theory. His original process is then able to be adapted for use in ancient societies whose available sources limit ethnographic or (traditional) archival approaches. What results is a distillation of field theory as applicable for the study of the Ancient Near East and other ancient societies. “Ancient Near Eastern field theory” presents an avenue for further analysis of the social dynamics of the ancient world that still preserves the fundamental elements of Bourdieu’s theory. What results is a method, not a model, for analysis that the following three case studies utilize in various ways based on the questions of the researchers and the sources materials at hand. Thus, this adaptation of field theory is useful for additional research both into the case studies presented in this issue and as a method to address other questions of socio-historical significance.
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