Regardedasascientificstudy，whichitrightlyclaimstobe，thisbookhastwoconsiderabledefects，oneofmanner，oneofmatter。Itsanalysisisconductedwithahalf-humorousparadeofpompousterminologyapttowearuponthetemperofthereader。Itsexaggeratedstressuponasinglestrainofpersonality，asadominantinfluenceintheformationofhabitsandthedirectionofconduct，isamoreseriousblemishinaworkofprofoundandpenetratingpower。Butforourpresentpurpose，thatofdiscoveringtheelementsofwasteinnationalconsumption，itisoffirst-rateimportance。
Mr。Veblen\'smainlineofargumentmaybesummarisedasfollows。Inprimitivesocietywarandthechasewillbethechiefmeansbywhichmenmaysatisfythatcravingforpersonaldistinctionandimportancewhichisthemostenduringandimportunateofpsychicaldesires。Personalprocess，mainlyphysical，displayedinfightorhunt，willsecureleadershiporascendencyintriballife。Sothosetrophieswhichattestsuchprowess，theskullsorscalpsofenemies，theskinsofslainanimals，orthelivepossessionoftameanimals，willbethemosthighly-prizedformsofproperty。
Whenthecaptureandenslavementofenemieshastakentheplaceofpromiscuousslaughter，thesizeandvarietyofhisretinueofslavesforpersonalservice，concubinage，ormerelydecorativeshow，attestthegreatnessofthewarrior-chief。
Whentheindustrialartsaresufficientlydeveloped，slaveswillbesettoproducesuchotherformsofproperty，enlargedhousing，quantitiesofshowygarments，cultivatedfields，herdsofcattle，asaffordconspicuousevidenceofthepersonalprowessofthechief。Glory，farmorethanutilityorcomfort，continuestobethedominantmotive。
Ascivilisationbeginstomakeway，thenotionofwhatconstitutespersonalprocessbeginstobemodified。Thoughphysicalforcemaystillremainachiefingredient，skillandcunning，wisdomincounsel，capacityforcommandandlaw-making，cometoberecognisedasalsogivingprestige。