Question

1.) Do you believe that 'affluenza" is a real condition? Why or why not?

2.) Why do you think people tend to distrust wealthy people or companies?

Answer 1

1.

Affluenza is the term used to express the psychological problems, faced by the affluent people such as demotivation, feeling of isolation and guilty feeling among the others. But, I believe that it is not a real condition, because symptoms being explained by the term affluenza is also found in people who are not affluent. For example, a salaried class person will become demotivated due to his job routine and poor organizational culture. On a similar note, isolation problem can also come due to lack of social engagement and relationship that is more prevalent among the poor people. So, the symptoms & problems prescribed under Aflluenza exist, but it does not necessarily relate to the affluent people.

2.

People tend to distrust, because there is a huge income distribution gap between the salaries and wages paid to the workers,  and salaries paid to the top executives and owners. At the same time, companies are not willing to bridge the gap of income distribution. It makes struggling people to think that the main reasons for their problems are the wealthy people and companies. Further, wealthy people get free by using wealth, but at the same time, poor people get trapped for the longer period of time. It makes people to become hostile and jealous towards the wealthy people.  It creates a class conflict and distrust develops between ordinary people and wealthy people or company owners.