172 notes to pages 30–44
- In his discussion of the universalism of rational choice (RC) approaches,
Fiorina ( 1995 , 88 ) defines the domain for which rational choice models are most
suited: “I teach my students that RC models are most useful when stakes are high
and numbers are low.” - Transits of Venus took place in 1761 , 1769 , 1874 , and 1882.
Chapter Two
- Interestingly, the main designer of the Maus was Ferdinand Porsche, whose
name is almost synonymous with luxury sports cars and conspicuous consumption. - Shimbori et al. ( 1963 ) claim that international prestige relies on eight dimen-
sions, each of which can be signaled through various indexes. Based on a survey
of attitudes in Japan, they conclude that economic and political dimensions are
more influential in determining actors’ prestige than dimensions such as the state’s
physical attributes, military might, or national character. - This “trickle- down” model of class diffusion is central to Veblen’s work, al-
though others, most notably Bourdieu, have suggested that in some cases the em-
phasis on the “trickle- down” model is exaggerated, because symbols can actually
follow a “status float,” where practices permeate upward from lower to higher
classes, or a “trickle- round” model, where the upper classes outflank the emulat-
ing middle classes by adopting some patterns of consumption and behavior of the
lower working class (Trigg 2001 ). - Mackie’s study of foot- binding in China demonstrates all three dimensions.
The practice moved from the imperial palace to the upper classes and from there
farther down the social ladder. It continued to be a class signifier where “the higher
the social status, the smaller the foot.” While it started as an attempt to improve
the aesthetics of dancers, it became so extreme as to preclude any dancing and im-
peded women’s ability to walk. Simultaneously, it also spread geographically from
the capital to the provinces (Mackie 1996 , 1001 ). - For other historical examples of similar processes, see Hamadeh 2002 ; Barth
1959 ; Heal 1964 ; Munck 1988 ; Clunas 2004 ; Krostenko 2001. - Janos refers to Veblen effects as International Demonstration Effects (IDE).
His research focuses on the effect of IDEs within the context of underdevelop-
ment and dependency. Starr ( 1991 , 360 ) similarly refers to Global Demonstration
Effects. - Marx ([ 1849 ] 1972 , 182 ) made a similar observation: “A house may be large
or small; as long as the surrounding houses are equally small it satisfies all social
demands for a dwelling. But let a palace arise beside the little house, and it shrinks
from a little house to a hut.... The occupant of the relatively small house will feel
more and more uncomfortable, dissatisfied and cramped within its four walls.” - As Frank notes, a favorable comparison cannot take place without reciprocal