"Unpacking Thorstein's Book " [Backlog - Not Posted Yet] [Reflections on Book Theory of Business Enterprise Thorstein Veblen Ch 1]
A framework set for Thorstein’s book
Is Chapter One – not “Foreword” look;
For in itself it sets the stage
For later words on later page.I learned one thing (besides his frame) –
Two roles exist – they’re not the same –
“Investor” (multi-tasks by him)
And “Marketer” on which we pin –Such folklore in the world today
As Internet comes into play;
But it has been this way a while –
Exchange in markets is our style.Back in the days of yore when we
Set out to see what we could be,
They called it “Commerce” – Faculty
And Chamber, both for market free.But then it shifted – “MBA”,
“Administration” seized the day;
But Thorstein’s view’s the older one –
It’s “Commerce” where we have the fun.For businessmen (two roles as mixed),
Control black box by which are whisked
The products of machines (which aid
The workers toil when product’s made).He states machine-based processes
Set pace, direction, for the rest;
Both scope and method are enforced
On cultured-life to shape “resource”.This echoes Getty’s layered-cake –
Resource as base, next layer takes
It from the ground and shapes for use;
Top layer (cultures) lifestyles choose.But change the bottom; change the top –
It is a “system” where folk walk
Through life, based on extraction’s ways,
And processing, as Veblen says.But Veblen adds perspective here –
The driver’s driven – it would appear
That commerce (“Business Enterprise”)
Is driver now – the business guys.For they’re the ones with ROI;
Set markets’ shape beyond the sky;
They buy and sell; of interest are
To all the rest – they’re key by far.Thanks Lord for this.
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