[lbo-talk] Wealth Psychologists

Wojtek Sokolowski sokol at jhu.edu
Wed Oct 10 07:32:37 PDT 2007


WD:

If more Americans realized how much money just a handful of people in the U.S. had -- you know, so much they need a shrink to handle it -- I suspect there'd be a lot more support for policies aimed at the redistribution of wealth.

[WS:] I doubt. Wealth accumulation, getting rich quick and the allure of wealth in general is as American as apple pie. The very foundation of the American identity is built on the desire to get rich quickly. Those who have gotten rich are viewed as popular heroes and examples to follow, not as enemies. There may be a small minority of malcontents who do not share such values (I guess most of them subscribe to this list ;)), but the great majority of the population admires wealth and views the wealthy as celebrity figures (cf. Donald Trump).

If there is going to be a revolution in America (and that is a big if), it will be over wealth re-distribution and equalization - as demonstrated by popular reactions to affirmative action - but never over inequality in wealth distribution. I strongly suspect that conspicuous wealth accumulation in America will only inspire the popular imagination and faith in the American Dream.

Wojtek



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