Business & Economics - Premium Collection (ePub)

Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929) was an American economist and sociologist, renowned for his incisive critiques of capitalist society. He is most famously associated with the term 'conspicuous consumption,' which he introduced in his seminal work, 'The Theory of the Leisure Class' (1899). Veblen's writings reflect a deep skepticism of traditional economic theories and an unorthodox approach to economic analysis, often incorporating socio-cultural dimensions into his arguments. His intellectual legacy lies in the foundation of the institutional economics movement, which emphasizes the importance of cultural and institutional factors in the economy. Veblen's critical perspective on capitalism extended to the corporate world, as reflected in his work 'The Theory of Business Enterprise' (1904), where he explored the underlying social implications of business practices. His collection, 'Business & Economics - Premium Collection,' encompasses his major works and represents his multifaceted analysis of economic thought and its relation to social norms. Veblen's literary style is characterized by a penetrating wit, an erudite tone, and an extensive use of satire, which allowed him to effectively communicate his complex ideas to a broader audience. Throughout his career, Veblen's contributions provided a profound social critique of the economic realities of his time, many of which continue to be relevant in contemporary discourse on economics and social theory.