ABSTRACT
In the Veblenian construct, social evolution takes place through the interaction of two prime forces. These forces are workmanship, which includes the group-regarding predilections of man, and predation, which comprises the self-regarding inclinations of the species. It is the relationship between these two forces, moulded by technological change, which determines the timbre of society. When workmanship dominates, society is characterised as one where group-regarding characters come to the fore. On the other hand, where predation dominates, self-regarding behaviour wins out. In time, this interaction leads to a process of evolution, which manifests itself in the very institutions that guide and direct society. To borrow a Marxist term, the play between these two forces determines the nature of the social ‘superstructure’. Importantly, because the process is one of evolution, it is unknown whether the future course and shape of society will be one that leans more in favour of predation or will align to meet workmanship.
