Infrastructure: For Grandeur or for People’s Good? A Veblenian Analysis of Global Infrastructure Competition

Global infrastructure rivalry is often analyzed as a zero-sum contest for strategic dominance. This article challenges that view by applying a comprehensive Veblenian framework that juxtaposes conspicuousness with his neglected concepts of workmanship and industrial efficiency. The article argues that contemporary infrastructure competition is driven by dual logics: the ceremonial pursuit of grandeur and the reputational pursuit of developmental capacity. The study posits that a shift from pecuniary to industrial logic is essential for genuine global development. Drawing on this distinction, the work suggests a potential approach for recognizing the difference between predatory signalling and the productive provision of global public goods.