| Chapter 1: | Instincts |
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may take the form of objects, which can range from useful goods to ceremonial paraphernalia. Trophies may also take the form of captives who are enslaved and forced to do the bidding of the warrior. As will be discussed in more detail in a later chapter, the use of low-status slaves to do useful labor is the beginning of a general association of productive work with “drudgery.” The desire to rank high socially may therefore lead some to suppress their instinct of workmanship.
Another approach to predation is illustrated by what Veblen calls “the priestly class.” Priests have high status by virtue of their close connection to the divinity. In addition, priests can claim that offerings are required to placate the divinity. Goods and status are extracted from others by the threat of divine retribution.
In a commercial culture such as ours, business and law take the place of warfare and religion as outlets for predatory tendencies. Consider the actions of a business that has a monopoly. In order to maximize profit, the monopolist will restrict output and raise price. Smaller output and higher price run contrary to the general interest of the public at large. But the monopolist does not mind exploiting its advantage at the expense of others.
The legal profession is frequently in the news for its predatory behavior. Popular jokes equate lawyers with sharks. Veblen wrote that “the lawyer is exclusively occupied with the details of predatory fraud, either in achieving or checkmating chicane” [1899, 231]. Lawyers use the power of their minds rather than the power of their arms, but their behavior is similar to that of warriors in that they seek to impose their will on others for their own benefit. The predatory instinct is still a part of human nature.