In this day and age, it can be observed that well-known figures earn more money than those working in the political field. This essay attempts to shed light on the underlying reasons behind this phenomenon before arguing that this is predominantly negative development.
The considerable income disparity among celebrities and politicians can be ascribed by the nature of work that each features. In respect of people working as influencers, being known by the general populace becomes a perk, helping them make money from diverse streams. For instance, Ariana Grande,a singer with a beautiful voice and high vocal range, has become a millionaire not only by utilizing her musical artistry but also from being an actress, receiving sponsorship as well as being involved in business ventures. In contrast, while celebrity’s lives seem to be flexible and manifold, political jobs appear to be fixed and stable. This is because the political workforce have to be committed to their occupation and banned from side hustles. Therefore, their income sources mainly come from the monthly salary from the tight national budget, explaining why their income is much lower compared to celebrities’.
While this phenomenon can deter potential corruption and the abuse of power among governmental organisations as well as boost the economy, I am convinced that they come at the expense of more pronounced problems. The primary concern is that the significant level of income inequality causes talented people tending to avoid political-related jobs when considering career paths, which gives rise to the serious shortage of skilled labors in this field. If the scenario prolonged, it could reduce the quality of the political system and the solid growth of one country. Worse still, due to their financial power and widespread influence on the society, famous figures could steer public opinion or even manipulate residents’ ways of perceiving a particular aspect, including political one. This could be more exacerbated when many youngsters nowadays tend to idolize celebrities, mimicking their lifestyle and perception without carefully considering its validity or appropriateness. Taking advantage of this, many influencers could subtly spread distorted ideologies or beliefs through their fans, which could disrupt the political order to some extent.
In conclusion, celebrities earning more money compared with government officials is largely driven by their job’s features. Notwithstanding this phenomenon can reduce corruption and boost the national economy, it should be seen as a negative development, with the problem of labour shortage in the political field as well as the growth of distorted beliefs in residents.