The worldview of the "working rich"-notions of justice and legitimization strategies of working wealth heirs

As social mobility decreases, social background becomes increasingly important. At the same time, wealth is distributed considerably uneven and is passed on as heritage and/or endowment inter vivos within wealthy families. Therefore, a conflict between the socially dominant principle of meritocracy and the inheritance of wealth as a privilege of social status arises. This paper asks, how the "working rich" legitimize their wealth when interpreting their origin within a meritocratic society as well as which ideology of justice they believe in. Drawing on seven problem-centered interviews the author has worked out two main types of legitimation of origin and perception of justice: the first type resolves the conflict through "meritocratic devaluation"-by devaluing social class origin and acknowledging only "success" as merit. The second type "status-oriented philanthropy", dignifies their social origin through an "appropriate way of living" and philanthropy and makes linkages between meritocratic principles and social status. Both types legitimize their privileged position in society and contribute to the reproduction of social inequality. However, the two types of legitimization strategies do have different implications for fundamental attitudes towards solidarity.