SYMBOLIC PRODUCTS: PRESTIGE, PRIDE AND IDENTITY GOODS

摘要

The paper distinguishes between two kinds of products, 'symbolic' and 'substantive'. While substantive products confer welfare utility in the sense of pecuniary benefits, symbolic products accord self-regarding utility. Symbolic products enter the utility function in a way which differs from substantive ones. The paper distinguishes among three kinds of symbolic products and proposes That each ahs a distorted form.