Veblen’s contribution to the analysis of (un-) sustainable consumption - Overvalued and underestimated
- Veblen’s concept of conspicuous consumption is often cited to explain why consumption habits in our consumer societies tend to be unsustainable and ever increasing. However, much more than blaming individual consumption habits Veblen sharply analyzed quite some of the societal and economic forces which drive the framework conditions for un-sustainable consumption: the vested interests and the absentee ownership. The paper follows the path Veblen’s thoughts have taken trough economic and social literature over the last centuryand highlights how the actual sustainable consumption debate could make better use of Veblen’s insights e.g. in requesting the constitutive institutions for property. Opportunities for Strong Sustainable Consumption obviously presuppose radical changes, social innovations and thinking out of the box.
Author: | Sylvia Lorek |
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URN: | urn:nbn:de:hbz:836-opus-106424 |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.3166/EJESS.26.149-172 |
Parent Title (English): | European Journal of Economic and Social Systems |
Document Type: | Article |
Language: | English |
Date of Publication (online): | 2019/05/20 |
Year of first Publication: | 2014 |
Provider of the Publication Server: | FH Münster - University of Applied Sciences |
Release Date: | 2019/05/20 |
Tag: | Veblen; structural change; sustainable consumption; vested interests |
Volume: | 26 |
Issue: | 1-2 |
First Page: | 149 |
Last Page: | 172 |
Faculties: | Oecotrophologie · Facility Management (OEF) |
Publication list: | Lorek, Sylvia |
Licence (German): | Zweitveroeffentlichung |