China's "leisure class" is viewed as a social stratum who loves showing off wealth. (Photo : Reuters)
In recent years, China has witnessed the burgeoning of a “leisure class,” a term coined by American sociologist and economist Thorstein Veblen, according to Guangzhou’s South Reviews.
The magazine pointed out that the emerging social stratum is playing a vital role in changing China's values and cultures. As well, the class is also being regarded as a catalyst of a chain reaction throughout the Chinese society.
On April 11, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini were reported to collide on a Beijing road where drivers often overspeed.
The drivers of the vehicles are both unemployed and are considered as a perfect example of leisure class members, citing that their luxury automobiles are status symbols more than being modes of transportation, the Chinese magazine remarked.
Apart from this view, leisure class members are also said to have a "Chinese character," according to the article. They are often involved in clash with others, may it be through emphasizing their values or through doing high-profile actions.
Moreover, the society's perception of the leisure class has been contradicting, the South Reviews article further explained. While the class' image is likened to that of foreign royalty's, the stratum is also despised because of their fondness to flaunt their riches.
The magazine enthused that the root of this contradiction is the fact that the emerging Chinese leisure class is yet to achieve the real high level of taste. Once attained, the members of this class could then rationalize their social status.
Also, rather than earning the ire of the public, the class can also become an inspiration and major influence to the Chinese populace.
Nonetheless, the magazine agreed that the rising social group, of what it is now, is still a source of culture and social value change in the Chinese society.
