- Cutting across societies, one of the most common aspects pervading at different levels of social standing is the sense of entitlement and privilege associated with the few. As we know, a societal hierarchy based on affluence is the oldest form of norm, duly accepted, cutting across the well-established structure. The top of the ladder is adorned by the high and the mighty, whereas the lower strata are reserved for the less privileged. As such, the sense of entitlement among the upper echelons of society’s affluent lot needs no further elaboration. The nonchalant manner with which they go about expecting/accepting/enjoying certain privileges available at a great premium has been dissected threadbare over the years. What about the less privileged, though?
PC: The Financial Express
- Going by the past experiences, it’s apparent that the division within society is so deep-rooted that the perception of the high and mighty getting away with anything cannot be simply ignored. In simple words, privilege will never go away. Because it’s pure human instinct. However, it’ll take interesting forms. Privilege is many things. One of them is the ability to say no to authority. The government builds a new expressway, and thousands of farmers give up their land. But one holds out. We might label it defiance, but there’s no defiance without privilege. Whoever coined the word chose its roots carefully: private law or an exception to a general law. Not having to go through a general security check, for example. And there are many such notings/observations.
PC: Business Today
- Gaining entry to Delhi’s elite Gymkhana Club, famous for its 30-year waiting period, and now a two-week eviction notice. This news hit the headlines recently. But the lone man facing down tanks on Tiananmen Square, how was he privileged? Well, he had the assumption of privilege, which is sometimes more powerful than systemic privileges of caste, race, colour, wealth, status, etc. Gumption is a privilege because it is so rare. Past experiences suggest that the gumption of a few teaches many to resent. And it happens more often now, old privilege vs gumption. Further, privilege, as we commonly understand it – unearned advantage – came first. Kings and priests were deeply privileged from the time they were invented. Egypt didn’t raise pyramids for workers.
PC: Collegenp
- If privilege has been around forever, is it a feature or a bug? Both – it’s a feature for the few, and a bug for the many. Privilege exists because we are selfish, and we are selfish because, in a world of scarcity, selfishness is rational. Privilege eases access to things, front-row tickets, services, and the seat of power itself. Also, it’s a fact that even those who resent the privileges of others crave them. We want privilege because privilege begets privilege. Society works on mutual back-scratching and quid pro quo. Because privilege is exclusive by nature, it shuts the door on the many, perpetuating the advantages that we may have earned at some point but now want to pass on, in unearned and undeserved form, to our children. Will we ever get rid of it? No. Why so? Mind you, new privilege will always arise from the ashes of the old. Brace up for more.
