TL;DR: Understanding Resentment Toward Wealth to Harness Entrepreneurial Growth
Lower-middle-class resentment toward the wealthy reveals frustrations about systemic inequality, misconceptions about success, and an underlying desire for personal transformation. Common beliefs like “the rich are just lucky” or “the system is rigged” often stem from feelings of exclusion and defeatism but can spark insights for growth.
• Resentment reflects deeper frustrations about inequality but may dismiss hard-earned success stories.
• Misconceptions can prevent collaboration and learning opportunities essential for entrepreneurship.
• Transform resentment into strategy by focusing on innovation, partnerships, and education to build personal success.
Adopt a growth-focused mindset to break limiting beliefs and leverage insights for entrepreneurial resilience!
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What Does Resentment Toward the Rich Reveal About the Lower-Middle Class?
This tension between the socioeconomic classes is not new. In my years as an entrepreneur, I’ve noticed a palpable undercurrent: the frustration, and sometimes bitterness, aimed at the wealthy. It manifests in conversations, forums, and even in pop culture. But what lies beneath this disdain, and what can it teach us about society’s collective psyche? By examining the statements and thoughts circling the lower-middle class, we find there’s far more to uncover than simple anger. It reveals a mixture of systemic inequality, misunderstandings, and even a longing for personal transformation. Let’s dive into these seven common sentiments.
1. “They’re just lucky or inherited it.”
A pervasive belief is that wealthy individuals stumbled upon their fortune or inherited it. This sentiment dismisses hard work, vision, and decision-making, painting wealth as purely accidental. While it is undeniable that a significant portion of wealth today stems from inheritance, according to the World Inequality Report 2026, 60% of billionaire wealth comes from inheritance or monopolistic advantages, it’s overly simplistic to categorize all rich individuals this way. Think about self-made billionaires like Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, who started with an idea and determination. By focusing solely on ‘luck,’ resentment detours the lower-middle class from seeing opportunities to build self-driven wealth.
2. “They look down on people like us.”
This statement often stems from a genuine concern about exclusion. While class-based discrimination is real and some wealthy individuals may project superiority, this assumption risks creating unnecessary barriers. For instance, many leading entrepreneurs contribute to societal progress, like Bill Gates, who’s donated over $50 billion through the Gates Foundation. Assuming malice can lead to pessimism and missed opportunities for learning from those who’ve succeeded.
3. “The rich don’t understand our struggles.”
This idea places authenticity in struggle, suggesting that hardships and financial instability are the only “real” challenges. Wealth does not necessarily shield one from existential crises, personal losses, or mental health issues. Highlighting this false divide prevents empathy and collaboration. The perception of detached elites could evolve into a conversation about making success stories relatable rather than dismissive.
4. “Rich people cheat on taxes.”
The belief that the wealthy exploit loopholes to avoid taxes isn’t completely unfounded, as many billionaires pay lower effective rates than middle brackets. Yet, framing an entire class this way often derails broader conversations about systems enabling such behavior. Advocating tax reforms, instead of blanket criticism, empowers everyone to demand a fairer system.
5. “Being rich makes life easy.”
It’s common to hear the sentiment, “Their life must be so easy.” While wealth removes certain struggles, student loans, housing instability, it introduces new challenges. Increased wealth often brings complexities like managing investments, running businesses, and facing immense public scrutiny. Simplifying wealth as “ease” dismisses the reality of the diverse challenges the affluent face and makes wealth seem unattainable through effort.
6. “They don’t deserve it.”
This phrase drives a wedge, rooted in frustration over systemic inequities. It overlooks the sacrifices and calculated risks some entrepreneurs and innovators take to create value. This belief also reflects deeper socioeconomic discouragement, when the system feels skewed, feelings of inadequacy translate into external blame.
7. “The system is rigged in their favor.”
This argument holds weight: property tax effects, corporate lobbying, and education disparities do benefit the top tiers. Yet, focusing solely on systemic favoritism fuels defeatism. Balanced discussions that integrate critiques with personal agency possibilities create nuanced perspectives instead of zero-sum notions.
How Can Entrepreneurs Benefit From These Insights?
If you’re a start-up founder, freelancer, or small-business owner, these sentiments can inspire reflection. Are these beliefs stopping you from taking bigger risks or limiting partnerships due to assumptions? Awareness of how the lower-middle-class dynamic molds societal beliefs around success can reshape our mindset into something growth-focused. Rather than dwelling on inequities, use entrepreneurial energy to build your version of success through innovation, authentic networks, and education.
Conclusion: Turning Resentment Into Strategy
The bitterness rooted in lower-middle-class perceptions of wealth reflects deeper frustrations with inequality and the human need for fairness. Recognizing these patterns offers opportunities to shift focus. Instead of feeling disempowered by the system, start asking: “What can I control? How do I leverage systems to climb instead of stall?” Far from dismissing valid grievances, this perspective aims to spark hope, action, and resilience in entrepreneurial pursuits.
Adopting a balanced view isn’t always easy, but it’s essential. Growth starts with shifting mindsets, and as business leaders, understanding societal tensions is key to both navigating and shaping the future economy. Let’s invest our energy not into resentment, but into possibilities.
FAQ on Resentment Toward the Wealthy and Socioeconomic Dynamics
Why do some lower-middle-class individuals believe rich people are just lucky or inherit wealth?
This belief stems from the view that significant wealth accumulation often results from circumstances beyond individual control, like inheritance or monopolies. For example, data from the World Inequality Report 2026 reveals that 60% of billionaire wealth originates from inheritance or exclusive advantages. However, while luck plays a role in some cases, many affluent individuals, such as Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, have built their wealth through innovative ideas and perseverance. This viewpoint risks dismissing the importance of effort and strategic decision-making, creating a psychological barrier to perceiving wealth creation as something achievable through hard work.
Is it true that wealthy individuals always look down on the lower socioeconomic classes?
This is a common assumption, but it isn’t universally true. While some individuals may exhibit class-based discrimination, there are also affluent people who contribute significantly to societal progress. For instance, Bill Gates has donated over $50 billion through the Gates Foundation to tackle issues like healthcare and education. By assuming all wealthy individuals are condescending, lower-middle-class individuals may miss out on opportunities to learn from their success. Building empathy and understanding across socioeconomic divides is essential for collective progress.
How does the belief that the rich don’t understand struggles create barriers?
This idea perpetuates a divide by suggesting that only financial hardship constitutes a “real” challenge. While wealth can alleviate financial stress, it doesn’t eliminate universal human struggles like mental health issues, relationship problems, or personal losses. Dismissing the challenges of the affluent as trivial limits the ability to empathize and collaborate. By fostering dialogue instead of division, society can bridge gaps and create relatable narratives of success, inspiring collective resilience.
Why is the claim that wealthy people exploit tax loopholes so common?
The sentiment arises from observable disparities in taxation systems, where billionaires sometimes pay lower effective tax rates than the middle class. As outlined in the World Inequality Report 2026, the wealthiest often benefit from tax advantages unavailable to the broader population. However, instead of channeling frustrations into blanket criticism, advocating for robust tax reform can constructively address systemic inequities. Encouraging tax policy improvements would ensure more equitable contributions to public finances.
Does having wealth truly make life easier?
While financial resources can alleviate burdens like housing instability and healthcare costs, they also introduce unique challenges. Wealthy individuals often navigate complex financial responsibilities, public scrutiny, and intense professional pressures. Viewing wealth as synonymous with ease oversimplifies its reality and may discourage others from striving for financial growth. A balanced perspective recognizes the diverse forms of challenges that come with different economic circumstances.
Why do many feel that wealthy individuals don’t deserve their fortune?
This perception frequently arises from inequitable systems that appear to favor the affluent while placing disproportionate burdens on lower-economic groups. In some cases, structural advantages like access to better education or networking opportunities play a role in wealth accumulation. However, it’s crucial to recognize the sacrifices and entrepreneurial risks that self-made individuals often undertake. Balancing critiques of systemic inequities with an appreciation for merit and effort creates a more nuanced understanding.
Does the belief that the system is rigged against the lower-middle class hold merit?
Yes, systemic inequities in areas like education, tax policies, and property laws often disproportionately benefit the wealthy. However, focusing solely on these injustices can lead to a sense of defeatism. Instead, a balanced approach that acknowledges systemic challenges while inspiring personal agency can empower individuals to leverage available opportunities and advocate for meaningful reforms. Encouraging discussions about both structural change and personal development fosters social and economic mobility.
How can examining these sentiments benefit entrepreneurs?
For entrepreneurs, recognizing these societal perceptions can help address internal barriers that might limit ambition or collaboration. For example, viewing wealth creation as attainable can inspire calculated risks and growth-focused decisions. Moreover, understanding societal tensions can help business leaders position themselves as empathetic innovators who consider broader socioeconomic impacts, fostering trust and inclusivity in their endeavors.
What actionable steps can individuals take to shift resentment into growth-oriented strategies?
Shifting from resentment to growth requires a mindset transformation. Reflecting on personal beliefs about wealth and success, focusing on skill-building, and seeking mentorship can offer new perspectives. Engaging in open conversations about economic challenges and successes can also inspire collaborative solutions. By channeling frustration into constructive actions, individuals can work toward achieving their version of success.
How does shifting focus from inequity to possibility reshape one’s mindset?
Focusing on inequity alone can cultivate a sense of helplessness. Shifting toward possibility encourages resilience and agency, empowering individuals to explore innovative pathways to success. Recognizing and learning from others’ accomplishments, rather than resenting them, can create opportunities for collaboration and inspiration. Reshaping one’s mindset from defeatism to empowerment fosters progress on both personal and societal levels.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.