The Theory of the Leisure Class · Concept
Invidious Comparison
Social standing and self-worth are established through a constant process of invidious comparison, where individuals judge themselves and others based on relative wealth, consumption, and freedom from productive work, reinforcing class distinctions.
Social standing and self-worth are established through a constant process of invidious comparison, where individuals judge themselves and others based on relative wealth, consumption, and freedom from productive work, reinforcing class distinctions.
Veblen explains how the instinct of workmanship leads to invidious comparison of persons, where visible success and trophies become the basis of esteem, distinguishing exploit from drudgery.
The process of rating persons by relative worth, which underlies the motive for accumulation and the social value of property.
The invidious purpose behind leisure-class festivities and consumption is highlighted; even activities with ostensible non-invidious motives (e.g., religious, recreational) serve to compare and rank individuals.
Invidious comparison is the psychological mechanism behind emulation, as each class envies and emulates the class above it, setting the standard of living.
