Thorstein Veblen - Characteristic of Leisure Class

One characteristic of the leisure class is the want to fight or duel. Another characteristic is the popularity of playing or watching a sport.  This picture shows both.  Karate is often considered a sport of fighting like boxing.  Studios are often expensive therefore those who partake may come from the wealthier leisure class. Veblen states these type of activities are left over animalistic habits from barbarian societies that are no longer useful.  Karate can prove to still have some use.  But when you think about six years old sparring, Veblen's theory might be quite correct.