Rebecca Kiekhaefer
Professor Chey Davis
English 111
5 June 2010
What are the distinguishing features between the varieties of wilding, and examples of each of these varieties?
Wilding is defined by Charles Derber as “self-interested or self-indulgent behavior that hurts others and weakens the social fabric (Derber 12).” Wilding is identified in two categories; motive and domain, along with the degree, perpetrator, and legality of the wilding. Each category is split into types of wilding seen in society.
The first category is the motives for wilding. There are two motives of wilding; instrumental wilding and expressive wilding. Instrumental wilding is a type of wilding that is used for an achievement that is quantifiable, for example, robbery (Derber 12). The other motive of wilding is expressive wilding, which is a type of wilding used for “emotional gratification (Derber 12). An example of expressive wilding in American society, among others, is rape. As is apparent, the main difference between these types of wilding is the motives behind them. These types of wilding are very similar, as they both will involve acts that are illegal and immoral in the American society.
The second category of wilding is the domains of wilding. There are four domains of wilding listed by Derber; economic wilding, political wilding, social wilding, and environmental wilding. Economic, political, and social wilding are all characterized by personal gain in their respective areas, and environmental wilding is just as it states; wilding of the environment. Economic wilding occurs when a person or a business creates excess monetary gain for themselves, costing others. Political wilding occurs when a person with political power uses such power for personal expansion, typically taking advantage of constituents (Derber 9). Social wilding comes in many forms ranging from domestic violence to societal neglect of groups of people that slip through the cracks (Derber 9). Environmental wilding is shown in the thoughtless treatment of the natural world by pollution and littering.
Wilding is divided into three degrees based on the severity. Petty wilding is the lesser degree and it contains minute damage and achievement. Petty wilding encompasses wilding such as copying homework or exam answers, things that do not hurt a large number of people and do not help the person responsible for the wilding more than a small amount. The next degree of wilding is full-blown wilding, or wilding that hurts a large number of people and a large gain to the responsible party. This degree of wilding is displayed in crimes such as monetary deceit. The highest degree of wilding is ultimate wilding. Ultimate wilding covers acts such as murder for financial gain (Derber 12).
There are three different perpetrators of wilding; the individual, the institution, and systemic wilding. The individual wilder commits wilding acts alone, such as a rapist or murderer. The wilding of the institution is wilding committed by businesses, governments or other institutions with power. Systemic wilding is committed by cultural systems, for example, capitalism (Derber 12). Wilding is either legal or criminal wilding. Legal wilding is allowed under the law, for example, small lies to friends. Criminal wilding breaks the law, such as assault or robbery (Derber 12).
Wilding has worked itself into the fabric of society so far that it can be categorized in several ways. By separating wilding into such categories, it can be analyzed and hopefully ended in society. This categorization allows for systematic focus on each form of wilding on its own, creating a manageable piece of the problem to be solved.
Work Cited
Derber, Charles. The Wilding of America: Money, Mayhem, and the New American Dream. New York: Worth, 2004. Print.