It’s also ableism! The wealthy and powerful often think that because they “succeeded”, everyone else who didn’t is less of a person than them and deserves their position in life. They frequently believe that everyone in life has the same opportunities and were just too “stupid” to take them. I have also seen this internalised - many people have said they’re “not smart enough” to be rich, which was always patently untrue. The truth is that growing up in richer families often leads to better health outcomes (less contaminated water, regular doctor access, better pregnancy education and maternal health, etc.).

Sometimes Prosperity Theology kicks in too, with the premise that God rewards those he loves most. The corollary being that poor people must be somehow sinful and hence deserved their circumstances.

And then, when the poor are malnourished and contaminated with lead and chemicals dumped in their water supply and can’t perform to anywhere near their potential had they been born to a rich parent… well. That’s just evidence they were right about them all along

The common problem is the unwillingness to share. Our power structures reward a lack of empathy with money.