RST 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Conspicuous Consumption, Economic System, Buy Nothing Day

• School: University of Illinois
• Department: Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
• Course: RST 100
• Professor: Shinew Kimberly

Document Summary

Relationships between leisure and economic development, capitalism, and consumerism. Leisure helps shape an economy and leisure is affected by changes in economy. Economies develop when they increase wealth and well-being of people (standard of living) More people have economic stability - basic needs are satisfied. Can focus more on leisure based services. Discretionary income and recreational resources can be scarce and for smaller segment of people. Small leisure class is often supported by larger working class. Conspicuous consumption - (veblen) of the wealthy. Leisure was and is a way for the affluent to demonstrate their status. Our toys are often our social id. Research - often times the less $ your peer group has, the more bling you buy. People comparatively richer than those around them often want to show off their wealth, distinguish themselves. Promotes free market regulated by supply and demand. Leisure is not individual right, given as reward/ withheld as punishment.