Yes, but the motivation of those manipulating the "petty bourgeoisie"...
Is that they KNOW the shit is hitting the fan soon, and they want to be in an unassailable position when it does...
They are building up a stockpile of wealth that they hope will preserve them in the times to come... and encouraging the increasingly desperate general population to point fingers at each other, rather than turn their resentful gaze to those robbing their nations blind.
The looting has reached a desperate fevered pitch- reckless in its extravagance... this is either indicative of their confidence, or a sign that they sense they are running out of time to prepare for the shitstorm...