Philosophical Gamer

First why, it does:

It seems to be born out of authority driven rationalization, especially authoritarianism. That if left to one's own devices, people would do the 'selfish' thing like relaxing or playing a game, instead of some kind of work like a chore or helping the larger society.

When it is 'hard work' for growing an economy, it is seen as something to be awarded, such as no taxation, or extreme wealth. Poverty is seen as a punishment of the 'lazy' because they do not give back as proven by how they are poor. The economy is obviously a fair system. It is natural that those who work gain, and those who do not suffer. It has embedded justice.

People should know their place because they are better than some image of who commits crimes with racism.

It can seem to help one feel like they can predict human behavior. It also keeps its own twisted empowerment. After all, if wealth means good and work, then it demands obedience. It says one can deserve power, including through bullying of any downtrodden.

If these poor would work, even if out of spite to fight back, then it would be another story. And this story of rags to riches, or competitive economy, would allow it. Remember, the economy is fair. And this view is provable by all the successes of those who work.

The parts of society, namely egalitarians, who say the poor should be helped and the rich looked at with questioning eyes. These are destabilizers in this reward/punishment cycle. If the poor didn't work, they'd stop, and economies would come crashing down.

But I am one of those egalitarians. So what about the other way?:

To at least the part of my mind that sees it this way, It is rampant cold-hearted abuse, where the rich have no accountability but are made to seem like heroes.

The most selfish people, who hoard such wealth, make it look like they've earned it, by themselves convincing others wealth implies the earn. They could do no work, or even active destructive work, but call it helping the economy, and this mindset would blindly believe them. If said people can prevent the poor from having a decent life, it will just prove the poor are bad, and rich are good. It gives free domain to the authoritarian oppressiveness under guise of deserving it.

The simplification of human nature is selfish, might really just be saying 'authoritarianism is needed to keep people in line'. It is a line of a different kind of abused person who continues the cycle. No amount of empathy might save this mindset for it is clinging to their mind like a superstition.

It might seem rational because you can find selfishness proven by people's actions. And if you believe things like avoiding work is inherently lazy and punishable, it will sustain the cycle. But it is not a proof. It is a superstition, like all prejudice and its irrationality.

One can twist anything to human nature with self-fulfilling prophecy. This one in particular seems to be the most destructive.