Sumptuary law
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | For [[Georges Bataille|Bataille]], ‘sumptuary moments’ are revolutionary in themselves, purely because they are the antithesis of use. [[Games]], [[war]], [[spectacle]], [[art]], ...--[[Nic Hughes]] | ||
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| + | [[Image:Eugène Delacroix - La liberté guidant le peuple.jpg|thumb|200px|This page '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is part of the [[politics]] series.<br><small>Illustration:''[[Liberty Leading the People]]'' (1831, detail) by [[Eugène Delacroix]].</small>]] | ||
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| + | '''Sumptuary laws''' (from [[Latin language|Latin]] ''sumptuariae leges'') are [[law]]s which attempt to regulate habits of [[consumption]]. ''[[Black's Law Dictionary]]'' defines them as "Laws made for the purpose of [[restraining]] [[luxury]] or [[extravagance]], particularly against inordinate [[expenditure]]s in the matter of apparel, food, furniture, etc.". Traditionally, they were laws which regulated and reinforced [[social hierarchy|social hierarchies]] and [[morality|morals]] through restrictions on [[clothing]], [[food]], and [[Luxury good|luxury]] expenditures. In most times and places they were ineffectual. | ||
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| + | Throughout history, societies have used sumptuary laws for a variety of purposes. They attempted to regulate the balance of trade by limiting the market for expensive imported goods. They were also an easy way to identify [[Ranks of nobility and peerage|social rank]] and [[privilege]], and often were used for [[social discrimination]]. This frequently meant preventing [[commoner]]s from imitating the appearance of aristocrats, and sometimes also to [[social stigma|stigmatize]] disfavored groups. In the [[Late Middle Ages]] sumptuary laws were instated as a way for the [[nobility]] to cap the [[conspicuous consumption]] of the prosperous [[bourgeoisie]] of [[Medieval commune|medieval cities]], and they continued to be used for these purposes well into the [[seventeenth century]]. | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Alcohol laws of the United States by state]] | ||
| + | * [[Clothing laws by country]] | ||
| + | * [[Dress Act 1746]], proscribing "the Highland dress" in [[Scotland]] | ||
| + | * [[Drug prohibition]] | ||
| + | * [[Fat tax]] | ||
| + | * [[Prohibition in the United States]] | ||
| + | * [[Prohibitionism]] | ||
| + | * [[Social aspects of clothing]] | ||
| + | * [[Speakeasy]] | ||
| + | * [[Smokeasy]] | ||
| + | * [[Smoking ban]] | ||
| + | * [[Yellow badge]] | ||
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Current revision
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For Bataille, ‘sumptuary moments’ are revolutionary in themselves, purely because they are the antithesis of use. Games, war, spectacle, art, ...--Nic Hughes |
Illustration:Liberty Leading the People (1831, detail) by Eugène Delacroix.
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Sumptuary laws (from Latin sumptuariae leges) are laws which attempt to regulate habits of consumption. Black's Law Dictionary defines them as "Laws made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures in the matter of apparel, food, furniture, etc.". Traditionally, they were laws which regulated and reinforced social hierarchies and morals through restrictions on clothing, food, and luxury expenditures. In most times and places they were ineffectual.
Throughout history, societies have used sumptuary laws for a variety of purposes. They attempted to regulate the balance of trade by limiting the market for expensive imported goods. They were also an easy way to identify social rank and privilege, and often were used for social discrimination. This frequently meant preventing commoners from imitating the appearance of aristocrats, and sometimes also to stigmatize disfavored groups. In the Late Middle Ages sumptuary laws were instated as a way for the nobility to cap the conspicuous consumption of the prosperous bourgeoisie of medieval cities, and they continued to be used for these purposes well into the seventeenth century.
See also
- Alcohol laws of the United States by state
- Clothing laws by country
- Dress Act 1746, proscribing "the Highland dress" in Scotland
- Drug prohibition
- Fat tax
- Prohibition in the United States
- Prohibitionism
- Social aspects of clothing
- Speakeasy
- Smokeasy
- Smoking ban
- Yellow badge
