Veblen effects, political representation, and the reduction in working time over the 20th century

► A behavioral-political explanation of the decline in work hours over the 20th century. ► A new model incorporating Veblen effects and employee employer conflict over hours. ► Falling top income shares reduced pressure to keep up with the Jones' and hence hours. ► Growing political representation of workers directly reduced work hours. ► Worker representation also indirectly reduced work time via the Veblen effect.