本书是凡勃伦于1899年出版的首部著作，一经问世立即引起轰动，成为当时知识分子人手一册的风行之作。作者通过研究制度的起源，观察社会上的经济现象，尤其是上层阶级的有闲特权与消费特征，来探讨制度与经济现象之间微妙的关系。书中对社会现象、消费行为、人类心理的剖析鞭辟入里，说明了习惯、文化和制度如何塑造人类行为，以及人类行为的变化怎样影响经济。同时又从有闲阶级的角度出发，阐释了其产生、发展的过程以及其中所折射出的经济意义。(This book is the first works of Veblen, which was published in 1899. Since it was published, there was an instant sensation, and it became popular with intellectuals of that time and Everyone has a copy. The author explores the subtle interplay between institution and economic phenomena by studying the origin of institution and observing economic phenomena in society, especially leisure privileges and consumption characteristic of the upper class. The book offers an in-depth analysis on social phenomena, consuming behavior and human psychology, and illustrates how the habits, culture and institution shape human behaviors and how changes of human behaviors affect economy. Meanwhile, in a perspective of the Leisure Class, the book explains the generation and development of Leisure Class, as well as economic significance reflected from the process. )