Capitalism Creates Disparity argues that wealth inequality is not just an unfortunate side effect, but a built-in feature of capitalist systems. The book dives into how capital accumulation, market structures, and government policies all contribute to this growing problem.
Did you know that returns on capital often outpace wage growth, widening the gap between those who own assets and those who primarily rely on their labor? Or that monopolies can further concentrate wealth by extracting excessive profits? The book explores these dynamics across three parts. It begins by defining key concepts like the Gini coefficient, then examines how capital accumulation, market power, and policy choices concentrate wealth. Finally, the text proposes potential policy solutions, drawing from different countries and historical periods.
It uses data from sources like the World Bank and OECD, alongside case studies, to illustrate wealth concentration and provide an accessible, yet rigorous analysis of the economic forces shaping wealth distribution.
