The Instinct of Workmanship and the State of the Industrial Arts

"The Instinct of Workmanship and the State of the Industrial Arts" is an 1899 treatise by Thorstein Veblen. Thorstein Bunde Veblen (1857 - 1929) was an Norwegian-American sociologist and economist most famous for his idea of 'conspicuous consumption. He theorised that humans do not rationally pursue value and utility-an idea that has become one of the cornerstones of modern behavioural economics. He made a lasting contribution to his field and has influenced many scholars that have followed him. Other notable works include "The Theory of the Leisure Class" (1899) and "In The Theory of Business Enterprise" (1904). Contents include: "Introductory", "Contamination Of Instincts In Primitive Technology", "The Savage State Of The Industrial Arts", "The Technology Of The Predatory Culture", "Ownership And The Competitive System", "The Era Of Handicraft", "The Machine Industry", etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.

Thorstein Bunde Veblen (July 30, 1857 - August 3, 1929) was an influential American economist and sociologist, renowned for his critical analysis of capitalism and his contributions to institutional economics. Veblen's most famous work, The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), introduced the concepts of "conspicuous consumption" and "conspicuous leisure," which critique the extravagant display of wealth and status by the upper class. His work examined how the wealthy class's consumption patterns are driven by the desire to show social superiority rather than for practical use, and he argued that this behavior leads to societal inefficiency and waste. Veblen's theories also laid the groundwork for the institutional economics perspective, emphasizing the role of institutions, such as laws, customs, and social structures, in shaping economic behavior. He distinguished between "institutions" and "technology," a framework known as the Veblenian dichotomy, which remains influential in contemporary economic thought. Veblen's critiques of capitalism, alongside his focus on the broader societal context in which economic activities occur, have made him a significant figure in the field of economics and sociology.