Descriptive representation and other political science concepts are essential for understanding governance, but economic conservatism among affluent populations often seems tied to class interests. This paper challenges that view by showing how desire for social status plays a role.

Using a new survey scale, the authors find a strong link between affluence and conservative economic views. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter appear central to this dynamic because they provide venues where affluent individuals compete for status recognition.

Experimental findings support this conclusion: when randomly assigned affluent Americans experienced simulated social status competition (e.g., seeing indicators of wealth on others' profiles), their ideological commitments became more conservative. This shift occurred even among those with high incomes but less wealth accumulation.

The study provides new insights into the psychology behind economic policies and demonstrates how digital environments shape political behavior, contributing to inequality debates.