Thorstein Veblen
Norwegian-American economist whose The Theory of the Leisure Class introduced the concept of conspicuous consumption to analyze how the wealthy class uses spending to signal status. His savage, ironic style makes him the most readable of economists. He is the founder of institutional economics.
Works
- The Theory of the Leisure ClassCritique of conspicuous consumption and status-seeking in capitalist society
- The Theory of Business EnterpriseEconomic analysis of how corporations shape markets and drive innovation
- The Instinct of WorkmanshipExamination of human instinct for craftsmanship versus machine productivity
- The Higher Learning in AmericaCritique of universities as prey to pecuniary and political interests
- Absentee OwnershipAnalysis of absentee ownership and its effects on production and society