I've written several times about Thorstein Veblen's theory of "luxury beliefs", stating:
"I have written a couple of times about Thorstein Veblen, the economist and sociologist, who made observations about social class in the late nineteenth century and his idea that there is a “leisure class” that holds “luxury beliefs”. In “The Theory of the Leisure Class”, he stated that the “leisure class” – affluent people – display their membership in the upper class with their material accouterments. For example, expensive designer clothing or driving an Aston Martin convey such “membership”.
But I think that Veblen’s theory applies across all political, economic, and social classes – as always, there is a segment of each social and economic class (upper, middle, lower), who send the same signals to their cliques that they are moving up. That is why we saw looting of certain stores during the recent “mostly peaceful protests” and the theft of flat screen TV’s and other luxury goods first before basic sustenance needs were stolen. The “five finger discounts” have more to do with status among certain classes than need.
I think the white, progressive, upper-class support of woke/BLM/ANTIFA protests and the support of concepts like Critical Race Theory are more about status than “equality”. If you listen carefully to what the perpetually aggrieved say, it is less about true justice and more about social status. Since they believe the upper classes get more justice (or passes) than lower classes, their solution is to be awarded higher status rather than equal justice. We should remember that equally applied laws do not mean equal outcomes – but since progressives are outcome based, equality of outcome is what drives them in social, economic, and legal terms. The very basis for the idea of “social justice” is unequal treatment under the law in the quest for so called “equity” (the equality of outcomes)."
This link goes to a great article pointing out that sooner or later, consequences apply those those beliefs when they are practiced outside the bubble of protection that "luxury" status provides.
When I read about the stabbing of Ryan Carson, the 32-year-old social justice and climate change activist, by a young black man, I couldn't help but think his last thoughts were:
"Why are you stabbing me? I marched for you! I protested for you! I am your ally! I don’t understand! Why are you killing me?!"
Then I read this morning that his super-woke girlfriend initially refused to cooperate because she didn't want to feed the stereotype of blacks being violent.
But as both Rob Henderson (this author) and Veblen assert - these are the influential people who make laws and policies for those of us who are not "enlightened" or protected by their belief systems. Henderson remarks:
“Of course, these people did not deserve harm because of their support for soft-on-crime policies. But I’ve long argued that many people who hold “luxury beliefs”—ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class, while often inflicting costs on the lower classes—are oblivious to the consequences of their views. Support for defunding the police is a classic example.
Luxury beliefs can stem from malice, good intentions, or outright naivete.
But the individuals who hold those beliefs, the people who wield the most influence in policy and culture, are often sheltered when their preferences are implemented.”
The two murders of progressive activists - plus the carjackings and even more attacks on progressive Democrats - prove that luxury beliefs are no protection against a real world that is far more savage and close to nature than the holders of luxury beliefs ever were.
This seams nicely with the largely luxury belief of 'fair'.
When I hear someone complain about a situation not being fair, my response for decades has been -
The "fair" is in August and they charge admission. This outcome versus opportunity conflict perfectly demonstrates that life is not fair. Refusing to accept reality will not protect you from it.
As you rightly observe, those beliefs are never about equality - and for the "best and brightest" who foist those beliefs on the rest, it isn't even about status; it's about power.