Is prestige the enemy of the individual?

Question

Society is a collection of individuals. We have society because we can benefit more overall together than we would as a individuals. Civilization is good for the individual. True meritocracy; people benefiting themselves based on their own abilities and indirectly 'raising' others; is just. However; our individual rights and interests are protected by the terms of the social contract. This is the ideal.

What happens though; when the interests of the individual are withheld by society? Where society or a social group stands in the way? Where one cannot obtain something without first attaining something? I've noticed in social groups we are confronted with an illogical proposition; 'deserving' something. Where we do not achieve things; but are awarded things based on achievement. Where to deserve something tangible we must first acquire something intangible; or our efforts are in vain. I call this thing 'prestige'. Now, with given info above, is prestige the enemy of the individual?

Answer 1

on a very basic level everything we do is to get intangible item (cash,money) with which we buy the tangibles(food, cars etc)

as for the prestige if you are meaning that we judge people and then decide weather they are worthy (decerving)of getting what they want/need maybe.

who decides what level of rewarded things we get for a set level of achievment?

is a lawyer "earning" $250 an hour to get rapists reduced jail time more deserving than the nurse who treated the rape victim and gets $25 hour? according to civilisation the lawyer wins?