I think it is more in terms of "vulgar prestige gain" and how we extract value by promoting a cult of personality around community leaders which in turn increases the prestige value. Reminds me of corporations buying back their own stock in order to concentrate wealth in the hands of stockholders aka executives with stock options. Employees could be paid better wages and in turn could fuel the economy by buying more, but that is not how it works because it does not benefit those who own the capital.