In praise of Affluentitis

Affluentitis: A privilege that comes from having a significant amount of wealth which enables one to indulge in "conspicuous consumption". Could be misspelled as affluentitus, related affliction - Affluenza.


Conspicuous consumption is not to be confused with "wasteful consumption" which involves needless depletion of non-renewable resources. Conspicuous consumption primarily involves acquisition of luxurious items and partaking in extravagant experiences.

Affluentitis - a condition, not to be confused with Affluenza, which has negative connotations.


People with this privilege are the target of criticism by "Left Leaning" individuals and the envy of those who aspire to acquire it.


Affluentitis can be compared to an additive to the fuel of an engine that propels the "economic" train of a country. The challenge is to make this train long enough so that every individual has the opportunity to hop on board.


A vibrant economy with affluentitis can result in a turbo-charged economy. Skeptics need only look to China. Granted the disparity between the "nouveau riche" and the very poor is stark. Studies show that this is a transient situation. More and more people are being lifted out of poverty and China is well on the path to become the world's #1 economy mid-century, if not sooner.


The good news is that India is predicted to be the world's #2 economy some time this century. The bad news is that there will be about 1.5 Billion plus, people to share that pie. The challenge is to ensure every family is given the opportunity to "earn" their share of the pie.


Affluentitis creates opportunities for artisans. The acquisition of luxury goods provides employment for a number of persons both directly and indirectly. For example a luxurious watch studded with gems involves a number of artisans and the skills involved is intricate. The more expensive the item or experience, greater is the the opportunity for the providers to earn better wages. The caveat however is that this would hold true only if the items acquired are Swadeshi. The penchant for phoren stuff does nothing by way of employment for Desi artisans.


Furthermore what is and what is not "conspicuous consumption" is relative and involves making a moral judgement. For example the acquisition of an air-conditioner by a family in Jaipur, would be considered "conspicuous consumption" by a family living in a hut with no electricity in a village in Rajasthan, where extreme heat is experienced in summer.


Why is it then; when a person who stretches their budget to buy a piece of jewelry as a gift, it is considered reasonable, whereas when a person splurges on an airplane it is much ballyhooed? Relatively speaking, both are inessential and a luxury. Besides the airplane continues to create employment for a raft of highly skilled people. Granted, more people are involved in the jewelry business than in aviation. It only underscores the fact that the goal is to enable more people to be afflicted with nano-affluentitus, so that more jewelry is purchased. And so why not enable more people to buy personal planes for pleasure, like so many people do in the developed countries?


The goal for India is to remove the "artificial barriers" that inhibit affluentitus. Artificial barriers are ones that decree whether one is engaged in legitimate business or in a "business" that breaks the law. Once upon a time there was a ban on importing gold. People engaged in the "business" of bringing in gold were dubbed "smugglers". A change in the laws, resulted in the collapse of a "lucrative" underground activity and legitimized those who continued to engage in this business. One such barrier today is the Land acquisition laws. Other artificial barriers are of the protectionist kind as to who can do what and who can't. Protecting the economy from external "threats" is one issue. Erecting internal barriers results in protecting the weak and stifling the strong. It is better to enable the strong to perform better and give the weak alternative opportunities.


The economic situation and state of technology is far better today than what the US faced in the 1930's. The challenges for India are somewhat similar in that the plight of the poor and the state of the infrastructure is probably worse than what it was in the US at that time. The industrialists of that period were referred to by the pejorative term, "Robber Barons". Many of these "Robber Barons" have left legacies that and it is affluentitis that made such legacies possible.


The much appreciated Taj Mahal is an example of "conspicuous consumption" legacy. After all it was a tribute by one man, albeit a king, to one woman his departed beloved. Today, affluentitis is not just the privilege of the Royalty of the past. It is much more widespread and present in just about every country. For instance even in Cuba, which "inhibits" affluentitis, it is enjoyed by Castro and his coterie. In many instances affluentitis is acquired through unethical means. Needless to say, that should be prevented.


India is going through a period of cognitive dissonance. People hero worship cricketers, but make snide comments about the money they make. On the one hand there is "talk" of double digit growth, but when it comes to execution there are many barriers due to bureaucratic reasons i.e. corruption and anti-affluentitis sentiment which is the prevailing mindset in India. While people are entitled to their opinions, this mindset often results in becoming obstructionist.


Affluentitis is an indelible fact and rather than being slighted, it should be encouraged and applauded when acquired through diligence, hard work and ethical means.


Inherited affluentitis has its merits, as well. Particularly when the inheritors take their windfall to greater heights.


Every family desires and aspires for a better life.  For some it is wishful thinking. Many are willing to put in the effort required and achieve upward social mobility. Affluentitus is the inherent desire of all such families. After all the goal of every parent ought to be to provide a better platform than their own for their kids, from which their kids can launch their careers. Only when opportunities abound and this happens abundantly, will an economy and society flourish.