Thorstein Veblen and the American Way of Life

Thorstein Veblen (1857–1929), best known for The Theory of the Leisure Class, was a baffling figure in American intellectual history, and this -important work, undertaken by Louis Patsouras, attempts both to unravel the riddles that surround his subject’s reputation and to assess his varied and -important contributions.

Considering Veblen not just as an economist or a sociologist—as has been the case up to now—Patsouras examines Veblen’s politics, in particular the early manifestations of American socialism and anarchism, as well as his support of labor unions. Veblen’s views are then compared and contrasted with other well-known his-torical and contemporary thinkers.

Louis Patsouras is professor of history at Kent State University and author of The Anarchism of Jean Grave (Black Rose Books).