“AN IMBALANCE between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics,” observed Plutarch, the 1st-century Greek historian. He was spot-on in both his judgements. Inequality is older than capitalism. It can also be fatal to those on the wrong side of the equation, for reasons that go beyond the effects of being poor.
The gap between rich and poor has become a critical issue in Europe and the US. In many countries, notably the UK and the US, it is on the increase. The last four years of economic growth in the US have masked…
