Plutolatry

Plutolatry is the worship or excessive admiration of wealth and the wealthy. It represents a societal value system where material possessions, financial success, and economic power are considered the ultimate measures of worth and achievement. This often leads to the prioritization of profit, accumulation of capital, and the glorification of those who have amassed great fortunes. plutolatry can manifest in various ways, from subtle social biases to explicit systems of privilege and influence.

Plutolatry meaning with examples

• The relentless pursuit of wealth in the city suggests a pervasive plutolatry, where social standing is directly correlated to bank accounts. This focus on riches creates a society that is shallow, prioritizes material possessions over genuine human connections, and fuels an unhealthy competition for status symbols.
• Advertisements constantly promoting luxury goods and lavish lifestyles contribute to plutolatry, shaping aspirations and encouraging a relentless chase for financial success. Such messages can erode empathy, emphasizing economic inequality while fostering feelings of inadequacy among those who don't possess great wealth.
• Critics argue that the political system has been corrupted by plutolatry, where wealthy donors exert undue influence on policy decisions. Lobbying efforts and campaign contributions often prioritize the interests of the wealthy elite, overlooking the needs of the broader population.
• The popularity of biographies glorifying billionaires is a clear example of plutolatry, showcasing wealth as a testament to personal virtue and intelligence, implicitly rewarding cutthroat business practices and ignoring the ethical implications of enormous accumulation of wealth.
• Some academic circles suggest the curriculum in business and economics inadvertently contributes to plutolatry by emphasizing profit maximization and the free market, shaping the ethical and moral foundation of the next generation.