Paper Example on Social Hierarchies and Their Impact

Conspicuous consumption is a term explained by Thorstein Veblen in his book “The Theory of Leisure class”. The term explains consumers who buy expensive or miscellaneous things not to fulfill their needs but to display their wealthy and income and fit in or standout from a particular social class (Veblen 19). There are characteristics that distinguish in a particular social class to another. These include posture, gesture, faces and material possessions. The neighborhoods they reside in are also distinct and they are rules that are to be followed otherwise a resident finds himself in trouble. In order to avoid stultification however an individual in a particular class finds ways of distinguishing himself or herself from those in similar social class.

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Those who advocate for simple life argue that there is dire need to separate the things that are necessary to those that are acquired to become distinct from other members of the society or even members of the same social class (Veblen 21). People of a particular class live in neighborhood where the houses are built to similar standards are uniform. People who live in this neighborhood are expected to be of a particular social class and they are expected to strictly live as per the rules set. To show that JD8 is not of a distinct social class form other residents the author indicates that he is neither a destitute nor underprivileged. He fits in the social class of the people living in the neighborhood as he drives a good car and owns a business.

To maintain or gain a particular social class consumers buy expensive or luxurious items (Veblen 29). This has an impact on social hierarchies as they influence other classes that would want to emulate the behavior. The conspicuous consumption also leads to wastage of money and time as such consumers focus in things that do not benefit the society or them economically. JB for example spend a lot of time developing his residents and most of the developments have no sustainability. The improvements he makes in the property are for amusements or entertainment and are therefore not basic. Conspicuous consumers try to impress the people in the same class as well as those in the lower class.

It is expected that members of a particular social class act to depict the required conception of him (McCracken 107). His actions should conform to the social hierarchy standards as lack of cooperation increases the rate of conflicts among social class members. Rights and obligations govern any social class. In the Redneck neighborhood, for example, rules prohibit any resident from building a chain-link fence that goes past the back of the house. By constructing such a fence, therefore JD8 breaks the "covenant rules." Any unplanned developments made to the houses of a particular social class, especially the upper class, affect the property's value in the neighborhood. JD8 neighbor, for example, is concerned that constructing a chain link fence will lead to a decrease in the value of the property.

Lack of cooperation in society leads to the conflicts as some individuals are affected while others try to distinguish themselves in the social class (McCracken 108). When, for example, someone keeps a pet or livestock in a neighborhood where such is prohibited, conflicts are bound to occur. In the Redneck neighborhood, for example, there is a rule prohibiting the rearing of livestock. Livestock should be kept only on the countrywide, and there is no place for them in the city. Conformity to the standard rules or regulations helps promote harmony among individuals and avoid wastage of resources and conflicts with the authority. Just because somebody wants to enjoy loud music in a neighborhood, it does not mean they should disturb the neighbors. One can be arrested and jailed for noise pollution.

Social hierarchies make it challenging for people to cooperate and further create differences between different social classes (McCracken 111). The decision on where to live depends on the level of income which means that there is always a difference in the living standards of the upper class, middle class and lower class. The laid down standards and obligations makes it difficult for people of a different social class to live in a neighborhood designed for a different social class. Upper class neighborhood is characterized by accessibility of essential services and ease to move around even on foot. Also, the structures are identical and one cannot make improvements to the property without approval.

Upper class is characterized by nobleness and individuals in this social hierarchy are expected to exhibit noble behavior (Veblen 78). This therefore creates the need for a distinction between the noble and the ignoble. Individuals belonging to a particular social hierarchy may exhibit weird behaviors that do not match the expected standards which make them stand out of the society. Rearing of livestock for example is not bad but when it is witnessed in spaces where it is prohibited then it looks weird.

When one need or privilege is fulfilled it is displaced and creates a taste for something better. Even those in the highest level of social hierarchy therefore have something better that they require. The wealthy for example have countless commitments either for their personal lavish spending, promises to family and friends. However, before attending to the needs in the higher rank one has to fulfill the needs in the lower hierarchy. JD8 for example has fulfilled the needs in the lower hierarchy as he has a house, a car and a business. He therefore seeks satisfaction from non-essential things such as entertainment.

Goods serve as a bridge between social classes before they are owned. Before the goods are purchased they are greatly envied or desired and they connect the potential owner with the displaced meaning (McCracken 115). They start anticipating on how they will use the good and the emotion, social status or the living style that will be derived from the good. People therefore desire to acquire certain objects or goods that they believe will give them a desired feeling, state or prestige.

Conclusion

In conclusion, social hierarchy impacts different classes of people differently. Those in a particular class are expected to behave in a certain manner with those depicting different behaviors being termed as ignoble. Some people try to distinct themselves from the social hierarchy they are in or to maintain their status. When people meet all the needs in a particular status they desire for more and this in some cases leads to conflicts in the society due to deviation from the expected behavior.

Works Cited

Veblen, Thorstein. The theory of the leisure class. Boston: Houghton Mifflin (1973): 1-184.

McCracken, Grant. "The evocative power of things: consumer goods and the preservation of hopes and ideals." Culture and consumption: new approaches to consumer goods and activities (1988): 106-116.