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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Pecuniary Canons of Taste.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is conspicuous consumption most prevalent?
(a) In court.
(b) In urban areas.
(c) In rural areas.
(d) In Paris.

2. What stage of culture contained the institution of the leisure class?
(a) Early stages of agricultural culture.
(b) Late stages of agricultural culture.
(c) High stages of barbarian culture.
(d) Late stages of hunting culture.

3. What does Veblen say happens to those who can afford not to work?
(a) They engage in conspicuous leisure.
(b) They volunteer.
(c) They help take care of the children and elders.
(d) They work at the most necessary jobs.

4. What does Veblen say an ownership society motivates people to do?
(a) Steal.
(b) Work hard.
(c) Conquer other people.
(d) Keep money within the family.

5. What allowed a leisure class to emerge?
(a) Improvements in production efficiency.
(b) Differentiation and specialization of labor.
(c) Exploitation of workers.
(d) Expansion of the military.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Veblen say about the upper classes in Iceland and Polynesia?

2. What are signs of vicarious consumption?

3. How does Veblen classify industrial labor in industrial societies?

4. What classes does Veblen describe emerging as society developed?

5. What kind of leisure is created by inheritance?

(see the answer key)

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