The economy has its origin and its theoretical basis in Europe, with the European world as a subject of study. Things were different in America. The game of making money in the United States was rude and savage, where you could witness the skills most rapacious people. (read The Great Gatsby). T. Veblen appreciated that reality, and said the economy was not a fair game. For him, society was ruled by primitive and irrational ideas and actions. In his book, "theory of the leisure class", set this leisure class, whose ultimate goal the gain wealth through rapine. Also, in his book "Theory of Business Enterprise" introduces us to businessmen not as the engine of the economy, but as its brake. This due to the conflict between engineers, and businessmen. The first seeking efficiency, the other the benefit.