Thorstein Veblen Knihy

Jedna z nejslavnějších prací tzv. kritické sociologie. Vebleen ve své knize podal první systematickou analýzu životního způsobu, který je důsledkem společenské organizace založené více na motivu peněžního zisku než tzv. instinktu dobré práce. Podle Veblena se vyšší (vládnoucí) třídy společností věnují tzv. ostentativní zahálce, čímž odlišují své postavení od jiných tříd. Život bez práce je dle nich nejlepším a nejskutečnějším svědectvím bohatství, a tím i vznešenosti. Vládnoucí třídy se tak stávají třídami zahálčivými. Pojmem zahálka (leisure) Veblen označuje neproduktivní využití času. V novodobé anonymní společnosti pak nabírá ostentativní zahálka podoby ostentativní spotřeby. Oba typy tohoto vnějšího odlišení jsou ovšem založeny na plýtvání materiálními hodnotami. Chování zahálčivé třídy je tak v příkrém rozporu s projevy tzv. instinktu dělnosti, který je podle Veblena vrozen a vede člověka k pozitivnímu postoji k produkci, k užitečné práci a ke všemu, co mu skutečně slouží. Autor se domnívá, že v novodobém mírovém stádiu tvořivosti je další existence zahálčivé třídy škodlivá, ale že zároveň svým příkladem rozhoduje v zásadních rysech o tom, jaký životní styl bude celou společností uznán za odpovídající a vhodný. Veblen byl v tomto směru jedním z prvních, kdo upozornil – řečeno dnešní terminologií – na příznaky konzumního způsobu života a předběhl tak téměř o půl století pozdější analytiky volného času.

Kniha patří k nejslavnějším a současně nejvýznamnějším pracím z tzv. kritické sociologie. Veblen v této své knize podal první systematickou analýzu životního způsobu, který je důsledkem společenské organizace založené více na motivu peněžního zisku než tzv. instinktu dobré práce. Jeho brilantní analýza a kritika společnosti zakládající se pouze na majetkovém soutěžení je – ač jí je více než sto let – stále aktuální. V soudobé sociologické literatuře se ostatně uvádí jako zakladatelské dílo sociologie spotřeby, sociologie módy a teorie konzumní společnosti.

Thorstein Veblen's incisive critique of modern business and its values showcases his sharp intellect and satirical humor, making him a significant figure in economic thought. His insights remain relevant, offering a profound analysis of the complexities of business civilization and societal values. Veblen's work encourages readers to reflect on the implications of capitalism and consumer culture, highlighting the enduring impact of his ideas on contemporary discussions about economics and society.

Focusing on the interplay between science and society, Veblen explores how Western culture uniquely prioritizes scientific understanding, particularly within Christian contexts. He questions the implications of this obsession with empirical facts, pondering the potential neglect of art and other vital aspects of life. By analyzing the origins and consequences of this "cult of science," Veblen invites readers to reflect on the balance between knowledge and the broader human experience.

The book is organized into three distinct sections: Essays in Economics, which explores economic theories and their implications; Miscellaneous Papers, offering a variety of topics and perspectives; and War Essays, which delves into the complexities and consequences of war. Each section provides insightful analysis and reflections on contemporary issues, making it a comprehensive examination of societal changes and challenges.

This 1899 article by Thorstein Veblen, an influential American economist and sociologist, presents his economic theories in a format intended for the American Journal of Sociology. The republished edition includes a new introductory biography that contextualizes Veblen's work within his broader contributions to economics and sociology, enhancing readers' understanding of his significance in these fields.

The scholarly edition of Veblen's classic offers a comprehensive exploration of American higher education, highlighting its historical context and relevance. Teichgraeber's extensive introduction examines the book's composition, publishing history, and Veblen's influences from earlier critics. This edition is thoroughly edited, annotated, and indexed, making it an essential resource for understanding ongoing debates surrounding the American university system.

Although Imperial Germany was begun before the United States entered World War I, little in the book however relates to that particular conflict. Rather, this is in large part a study of the divergencies in cultural development between the English-speaking peoples and the German-speaking peoples, and of the consequences this produced in economic and social spheres. Suppressed by war censors, Imperial Germany was again released after the war, and has assumed a place as a major contribution to economics and sociology alike. The comments on the book have scarcely been altered by time. Charles A. Beard noted that "Veblen wrote for the centuries, not for the days, and his Imperial Germany ranks with his immortal Theory of Business Enterprise." Wesley C. Mitchell, reflecting on the book during World War II, wrote that "the natural causes that made Imperial Germany efficient are still at work under the Nazi regime, and the forecast that proved sound once may do so again." Lewis Mumford called Imperial Germany "still the best picture of the residual barbarisms in German civilization; the soil out of which Nazism grew." This new edition is graced with a brilliant and insightful opening essay that is at once a commentary on Veblen's volume, and a statement of the historic status of the German economy and society. Written by Otto G. Mayer, director in a leading German "Think Tank," HWWA-Institut fur Wirtschaftsforschung-Hamburg, editor of Intereconomics, a journal issued in English, and an author of major policy statements on economic and social issues, the new opening statement underscores the view of those who came before, that Veblen's book is "a treasure chest of knowledge."

The book offers a profound analysis of the university system in America, providing insights that were groundbreaking at the time of its 1904 publication. It explores the structure, purpose, and impact of higher education, making it a significant work for those interested in educational reform and the evolution of academic institutions. Its reflective nature has earned it recognition among scholars and educators as a pivotal study in understanding American higher learning.

Exploring the interplay between industrial practices and cultural institutions, this work delves into how technological use shapes civilization while also being influenced by social conventions. It adopts a materialistic perspective grounded in modern science, addressing the relationship between industrial arts and cultural development. The author, Thorstein Veblen, renowned for critiquing capitalism and introducing concepts like "conspicuous consumption," contributes significantly to institutional economics, emphasizing the distinction between institutions and technology.