SPMT 319 Unit 2 || Questions with correct solutions.
In the 70s Tv networks paid 50 million to show the NFL, in 2010 4 companies paid a total of
2.9 B to have rights to the NFL games. correct answers True
Theory of leisure class correct answers Time is a major influence on all aspects of economics,
and we as individuals have a finite amount of time available each day. Because of this, we
must make decisions about how to use that time, and we typically allocate our time to either
labor or leisure activities. Thus, the way in which individuals choose to spend their time
determines the social status of individuals, and as a result two distinct classes emerge: the
leisure class (which is the superior pecuniary, or socio-economic, class) and the laboring
class (which is the inferior pecuniary, or socio-economic, class). They both have to do with
money and wealth.
EX: Rich guy playing golf in the middle of the workday with the most expensive everything
How do people demonstrate their socioeconomic status? correct answers actions, behaviors,
and material possessions
Do lower classes try to imitate those with higher socio-economic status? correct answers Yes
they do, it is referenced as "pecuniary emulation" and "keeping up with the Joneses"
What is leisure correct answers "the non-productive consumption of time". In other words,
leisure is how we spend our discretionary, or free time, or what we do outside of our work, or
laboring time.
Who are in the leisure class correct answers people who typically have careers or
employment which afford flexible schedules and free time, and also allow for great income
earnings....or come from a family or background in which they already have money and
wealth, and so the need to work or "labor" is not necessary. Unlike the leisure class, the
"labor class" cannot avoid productive work, or employment, because their livelihood depends
on their employment in order to pay the bills and accumulate goods.
Conspicuous consumption correct answers refers to extravagant, generous, lavish spending
on consumer goods (such as golf clubs, cars, and clothing) and services (such as country club
memberships, first class airline tickets, and expensive restaurants)....which is evidence of
higher socio-economic status, or the "leisure class" economic superiority. Conspicuous
leisure then refers to participation in vast and visible leisure activities
Labor class correct answers do not have as many options (due to both time and money
restraints) as those in the "leisure class" . For example, snow skiing is a very expensive sport
(skis, boots, winter clothing can be very expensive),
but also takes time (travel, ability to get away...which also takes money when you think about
travel and lodging costs). Most people go on vacation, or at least get away for a few days, to
go snow skiing (because of restrictive ecological and geographical reasons).
Are buying pro sport teams considered Conspicuous consumption? correct answers Yes they
are, Mark Cuban and Jerry Jones come to mind. They made their money in other industries,
and being a professional sport franchise owner is just a form of conspicuous consumption and
leisure....something for fun! We will talk more about the relationship between sport and
social class later in the course.
, Commodification of sport/ Marxist critiques correct answers As sport and rec become more
commercialized, there are more opportunities to spend money on sport as a leisure activity
Veblen viewed labor and leisure class relations as one characterized by emulation, Marxist
theory views it more as inherently antagonistic
Commodification involves the transformation of goods, services, or relationships into
commodities that are bought and sold in market- oriented exchange
Are athletes participating in leisure activities when they are playing their sport? correct
answers No it is classified as productive work since they are earning a wage
bourgeoisie correct answers which is typically a member of the middle and upper classes
(leisure class), which serve as the ruling capitalist class that controls factors of
production/performance/output
proletariat correct answers comprises the workers who provide labor for them (the
producers/performers)
what is the goal of the bourgeoisie correct answers the accumulation of wealth, and in order
for that to happen, new markets have to be created, and products distributed to those markets
and consumers. In these markets, the laborer (working class) exchanges labor, or
effort/energy/time, for wages (income)....and then exchanges that income for goods and
services which meet his or her leisure needs, and...
Commodification correct answers which is the transformation of goods, services or
relationships into commodities which are then used in the market place.
In this sense, it takes time and
money to participate in sport, or watch sport...and therefore, time and money are
"commodities", which are needed in order to participate, or spectate. According to Marxism,
the "leisure class" has time and money, whereas the "labor class" does not have as much time
and money, which gives the leisure class control. In other words, going back to earlier in the
course, we have taken the "play" out of sport, and created a society in which corporate sport
(or sport as work) is viewed as the most important segment of sport, because we place value
on the commodities that come out of corporate, or professional sport.
Does NCAA commodify sports? correct answers Yes 100%
What is the NCAA's purpose? correct answers "to initiate, stimulate, and improve
intercollegiate athletics programs for
student-athletes and to promote and develop educational leadership, physical fitness, athletics
excellence, and athletics participation as a recreational pursuit" (this is taken from the NCAA
handbook), so in other words, the NCAA oversees "amateur" athletics.
What is the big issue with NCAA? correct answers Doesn't pay the players even though they
are responsible for billion dollar revenues
