I'm much troubled by the sense of entitlement that's so much part of our culture, especially as it relates to food and healthcare, though it pervades most aspects of our lives – if we let it. There's an assumption that we're entitled to eat whatever food we want, regardless of the harm caused to soils, seas and climate, in its production. In healthcare we assume that our lives should be prolonged, and death deferred, when body and mind have deteriorated. Nationally, we assume that the economy should keep growing, plundering natural and human resources, driving climate chaos, to meet the cost.
What is entitlement? To entitle is "to bestow (on a person) a rank or office" ... Sense of "to give (someone) 'title' to an estate or property," hence to give that person a claim to possession or privilege (mid 15th century). Much of this relates to property and land ownership, a major factor driving inequality, which is rooted in a history of legalised land-grabs, especially agricultural enclosure and colonialism, all underpinned and perpetuated by capitalism.
There's an assumption (at least in England and Wales) that all land is owned by someone, though some remains untitled for historical reasons. In indigenous cultures the converse is true: people belong to the land. They literally aren't entitled. They live in right relationship with the land and receive what it can afford, as a gift. Too many Indigenous Peoples have been separated from the lands they belonged to by colonialism.
Early on Quakers eschewed using titles in names, since they were markers of inequality, but somehow we've lost the essence of this stance. It's the entitlement that goes with the titles that's problematic and most of us feel entitled to the privileges that our money, professional or class status bring. While we can't change the culture and legal framework we live in overnight, perhaps we can change our attitudes. Could we regard our food, healthcare and other “benefits” as gifts rather than entitlements? Then we might be more ready to consider the giver, which is ultimately the Earth, and what goes into providing them, and exercise moderation. Our sense of gratitude would also bring a joyful sense of being loved by the Earth.
How might we eschew title to property and be in a better, fairer, relationship with respect to land and buildings? Since our system doesn't allow for land to not be owned, the next best thing might be for land and buildings to be owned by co-ops and charities, which hold the titles. This could enable better sharing since individuals wouldn't hold the titles, an approximation of untitled.
Let's replace “entitled” with “untitled”!
Wendy Pattinson