The Aristocracy engage in Invidious Comparison from "summary" of Theory of the Leisure Class by Thorstein Veblen
The leisure class engages in invidious comparison as a means of asserting its status and maintaining social distinction. This practice involves measuring one's own worth and social standing against that of others in a way that highlights superiority and reinforces the hierarchy within the class. The comparison is not based on objective criteria or merit but rather on arbitrary markers of status such as wealth, lineage, or conspicuous consumption. By engaging in invidious comparison, the aristocracy seeks to differentiate themselves from the lower classes and solidify their position at the top of the social hierarchy. This behavior serves to uphold the perceived superiority of the leisure class and justify their privileged position in society. Invidious comparison also serves as a form of social control, as those who fail to measure up to the standards set by the leisure class are deemed inferior and excluded from its ranks. The act of comparing oneself to others in a way that is designed to highlight one's own superiority can be seen as a form of conspicuous consumption in its own right. It is a way for the leisure class to demonstrate its wealth and power, not just through material possessions, but through the social capital that comes from being able to dictate the terms of comparison and set the standards for social worth. Invidious comparison is a key mechanism through which the leisure class maintains its privileged position in society and reinforces the boundaries that separate it from the rest of the population. It is a form of social performance that serves to both define and defend the status of the aristocracy, ensuring that their position at the top of the social hierarchy remains unchallenged. This practice is not just about individual status or personal vanity, but about the broader social and economic structures that serve to perpetuate social inequality and maintain the power dynamics that underpin the class system.
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