Thorstein Veblen : un auteur en filigrane en sociologie des pratiques sportives

Abstract

References to Thorstein Veblen’s work are obviously unusual in sports and physical education literatures. Nevertheless, this discretion hide a presence lived in a symbolical way as if there was a veiled presence in this literature. Sport actor is considered as an expression of Veblen’s economical actor ideal. The contemporary leisure’s consumption is organized between instinct of workmanship and ostentatious consumption. Based on French speaking literature of sociology, this article prove that Veblen’s theories are still necessary, even the theory of the leisure class that is up to now representative of the contemporary bourgeoisie. Finally, this presentation is concluded with the question of the relationship between sport sociologists and theories. It shows that the main part of French literature keep in touch with Veblen’s habits, from remaining reserved about the scientific models to a special attention for the ground of the survey.

Keywords

• leisure class
• sociological theory
• instinct of workmanship
• superfluity
• sports