The Leisure Class is a book written by Thorstein Veblen in 1899 which outlines the formation and critiques of the upper class in society and how their existence affects the rest of society. This book is very critical and condemning of the upper class whilst also providing basic economic education in a light, tongue-in-cheek manner. Veblen (1899) begins his book by showing how the leisure class originated in basic society before class distinctions and forms of ownership were established during the shift from primitive savagery to barbarism. He also does not openly state that the leisure class was the “rich” but does imply so in many ways. A way in which he does so is by stating how certain forms of employment were reserved for those in the leisure class as they represented prestige and honor, Veblen (1899) refers to these jobs as “exploits” (required physical competence for hunting, combat, sports or implementing authority over others). A certain degree of righteousness was attached to such jobs as well as religious services and administrative work. The leisure class was therefore freed from manual labor and industrial drudgery that was linked with everyday work which was essential for a livelihood; these jobs were reserved for the inferior class such as slaves,