Q: "When it's a question of money, everybody is of the same religion." How far is this true of social values today?

In the present modern setting, money is the bloodline of all living humans on the face of the earth. Whether an individual resides in a more or less developed country, seeking riches is most probably his main agenda. Money is inevitably essential, as the basic necessities and luxuries in life do not come free. Consequently, the pursuit of gaining financial assets can be said to be the priority of individuals in all continents. However, there are people whose lives do not revolve around money, but around a different purpose. Those who stand out from the dollar-sign-crazed crowd include budding artists who pursue their personal interests and rights groups that fight for a worthy cause.

Today’s society is driven by the agenda of earning money and achieving a more flamboyant standard of living. Domestic and multinational corporations are profit-motivated and seek to derive the maximum level of financial gains from their businesses. More often than not, this process of making earnings compromise the welfare of the workers involved in the production processes. It has been revealed that multinational corporations like Nike and McDonalds carry out production operations that are deemed to be immoral. The former involves sweatshops that hire child labour in Africa while the latter is reported to exploit illegal immigrants from less developed nations to work at factories. Both cases enlighten the world that such companies make use of this cheap labour, knowing that harm is inflicted and international laws are breached. Hence, as people place money as the fundamental factor of surviving, this obsession takes centre stage at the expense of other groups of people in society.

Furthermore, society is increasingly overpowered by it’s desire to attain monetary gains. People’s desire may develop over time into a form of harmful obsession that possesses their minds and rob them of their moral values. As in the case of the Ren Ci and National Kidney Foundation, these imply that people are more tempted and may easily be subdued to the attraction of money as one is given greater leadership and control. In both cases, the chairpersons of these foundations were given the privilege and utmost trust from society. Unfortunately, societal pressures in the form of the dollar chase became the priorities of these chairpersons. As a result, they embezzled money and robbed from the destitute; seeking financial gains while compromising those who desperately require financial aid. Thus, the attraction of money even uproots the values of the morally-upright, portraying that the obsession of making money creates enemies of people with the same agenda.

On the contrary, not all communities in society are drinking from the same cup, as there are individuals who seek justice rather than monetary benefits. This is supported by the presence of international rights groups that speak out for those who lack the voice or opportunity to do so. Among recognised organisations are the World Wildlife Foundation and Amnesty International. These consist of people coming together to protect animal and human rights of those who are discriminated and deprived. For example, Amnesty protested this year against the Chinese government for the violation of human rights as Chinese citizens have extensively restricted freedom of speech. Such organisations mostly work not for financial benefits, but for social benefits that can be derived from resolving world issues that go unnoticed. Hence, the money chase does not envelop everyone as there are people who are able to see the world beyond their own paycheck.

Additionally, not everyone pursue the road to riches as increasing individuals prefer to choose alternative routes that allow them to fulfill their aesthetic goals. Money may not be the sole priority on everyone’s checklist. There are some who wish to embark on the path that leads them to achieving their dreams in their area of expertise in the art arena. The youth today are diverting from the normal way of attaining a university degree that guarantees a stable job and monthly paycheck. Instead, there are some who step out of the cookie cutter mold, as exemplified by the rising statistics of artistic individuals making their marks in the various fields of art in China. Making money is deemed as a bonus in the pursuits of these artists; more of a side dish than a main course. The main course, in this situation, is the satisfaction one can achieve when he eventually becomes a master of his craft. Thus, the money aspect is not the reason for these people excelling in their areas of interest and proficiency.

In conclusion, there will always be people who are constantly in pursuit of money. This perpetual chase can be considered obsessive or necessary, as it varies for different communities. In developed countries, obtaining riches beyond what is needed to sustain life is an excessive desire. On the other hand, attaining monetary support is essential for the poor in less developed nations. All in all, our lives make an endless circle around money; it is the driving power of our society and economy.