Summary: Reading Time: 3 minutesThe history of inequality in the world is not new. It has existed for millennia. The history of inequality crosses every cultural, political and national line. Today the US and the world have massive inequalities in our income and wealth distributions but also in our economic system as a whole. We can learn from history how dangerous this is. This also helps to explain much of the division and polarization currently rising within American culture today.<br> <br> <br> The great catastrophes and crises of history are usually preceded by massive scales of inequality in the societies that are undergoing the crisis. The French Revolution captured the state of mind among the elite of France with Marie Antoinette’s apocryphal statement, “Let them eat cake” when she heard of the unrest among the poor of France. The rich did not understand the state of being for the poor. All through the story of world history and the history of inequality in the world we can usually identify major social upheavals preceded by sweeping scales of inequality. This imbalance within the system cannot be sustained and either the system or the people within the system forces a violent and tumultuous course correction.<br> <br> The History of Inequality in the World as a Present Day Problem and Issue<br> We look at this reality of the history of inequality in the world in the course of world history in this introductory podcast episode in my series on economic inequality. If this premise is true then what does it suggest for our current state of affairs.<br> <br> * According to the 2010 census, the top earning 20% of Americans, those making more than $100K each year capture 49.4% of all income generated in the US, compared to just 3.4% of all income generated going to those below the poverty line.<br> * The US has the greatest disparity of income among ALL Western Industrialized nations.<br> * The poorest of the poor are reaching record highs. In 2009 the poverty rate among American families was at its highest level since it began to be tracked in 1975<br> * As of 2007 the top 1% of all households owned 34.6% of all privately held wealth. The next 19% had 50.5% of the privately held wealth. So doing the math…20% owned 85% of all US privately held wealth.<br> * This leaves 15% that is held by the remaining 80% of the population.<br> <br> <br> The 1% and the 99%, rising foreclosures and consumer debt levels, high unemployment and record stock market returns. How does this all fit together? This is the introductory episode of our new series from the End of History focusing on Economic Inequality in the US. We will be following the history of the issue since the 1920’s and uncover where it is at today. No political agenda here but just a straight look at the facts and realities of one of the most significant economic issues of our generation.<br> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theendofhistory/PHVq/~6/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><br> <a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/headlineanimator/install?id=nb64uri41haerm5fvtnnavfgjo&w=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">↑ Grab this Headline Animator</a><br> This is part of my <a href="https://wp.me/p2iDfo-1su">Complete Guide to Understanding Inequality in America</a>. Check it out for more podcast episodes, infographics and articles and on this topic. Check out all of my<a href="http://www.theendofhistory.net/essential-guides-to-gain-a-better-understanding-of-the-world/"> expert topic guides</a> on other topics as well. <br>
