Originally Posted by
Bob Viking
The local person doing civic deeds is very deserving of an award but probably reaches far fewer people in reality.
Famous sportsmen and artists have had their reward, however. They don't need any further recognition to help them do useful things or do things beyond "local." They are already well paid. Similarly with rich people or those of high rank. You can only say that civil servants can be paid less if you can give them status of some other form and that's useful.
Awards are not presents really but a way to empower without having to spend money - or at least I argue that's the most logical thing for them to be. In reality they are about politics of course.