Vested interests, a term used by economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen, refer to those specific individuals, groups, or institutions within a society who have a significant stake in maintaining the existing social, economic, or political status quo and who stand to suffer a loss or disadvantage in the event of substantial social change that might threaten their current privileges, power, or resources. Because of their potential losses, those with vested interests often actively resist or oppose changes that could disrupt the established order from which they benefit, using their influence and resources to preserve their advantages and maintain the current distribution of power and wealth within society. Understanding vested interests is crucial for analysing why certain social changes face resistance and for comprehending the dynamics of power and social conflict within a society.