The Narrative Trap: Wealth Equals Evil
Hero movies and dramas frequently portray the wealthy as villains—the conglomerate heir owning a skyscraper, the CEO controlling the city, or the entrepreneur colluding with those in power. Conversely, the poor are almost always depicted as pure and righteous. However, I believe this causality is flawed. It is not that wealth itself corrupts a person; rather, evil lies in the act of harming others for one’s own gain. In a capitalist society, profit generates wealth, and wealth, in turn, creates power. Therefore, we see more “evil” among the rich simply because they are the “powerful.” Sociologist Max Weber defined power as the “ability to realize one’s own will even against the resistance of others.” Wealth provides the resources to exercise that ability. It is not necessarily that there are more evil people among the rich, but because their choices have a far greater impact on society, they become the natural villains of our narratives.
Asymmetry of Power and Responsibility
Wealth grants power. It can buy time, opportunity, social voice, and influence. The issue isn’t that this power is inherently evil, but that responsibility grows asymmetrically alongside it. In A Theory of Justice, John Rawls argues that a just society is designed so that “the greatest benefit is provided to the least advantaged.” The reason the wealthy often appear as villains is that a collective sense of betrayal arises when those with immense power fail to use it for the public good.
The Limits of the “Underdog” Narrative
Narratives often try to strike a balance by depicting the weak as good and the strong as evil. However, poverty is not a virtue, and wealth is not a sin. A poor person can be corrupt, and a wealthy person can be virtuous. The reality is simply that it takes a very long time for the weak to become powerful within the current structure. Friedrich Nietzsche observed that “the weak bind the strong with guilt through morality.” The “goodness of the poor” in stories is often a moral restraint placed upon the strong. Yet, this restraint fails to solve the underlying problems and only creates further polarization.
The Narrative I Desire
Instead of a world where the rich are portrayed only as villains, I want stories that show the responsibilities and choices made by those who possess wealth. Stories where the poor might not be virtuous and the rich can realize justice. Stories that allow us to ask more sophisticated questions about the relationship between power and ethics, and wealth and responsibility. As Hannah Arendt suggested, evil might not be found in the heart of a monster, but in the “accumulation of ordinary choices.”
Conclusion
The wealthy become targets of narratives not because they are evil, but because they are powerful. That power is dangerous, yet it also holds the potential for change. Instead of simply hating the rich, I now want to ask how that power should be used. And I dream that one day, I too might change the world with the power I possess.
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