In America’s West, Equality Takes a Hit

In America’s West, Equality Takes a Hit

In The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Us Stronger, the landmark 2009 book on the impact of deep economic divides on our daily lives, the surprise societal star — at least for most American readers — turns out to be the state of Utah. On all sorts of measures...
The Bezillionaire Times

The Bezillionaire Times

Amazon’s bezillionaire CEO is buying The Washington Post, America’s second-most prestigious daily newspaper. Jeff Bezos only had to pay $250 million, less than 1 percent of his $28 billion personal fortune. Has plutocracy finally overwhelmed our press?...
Blowing the Whistle on Philanthropy

Blowing the Whistle on Philanthropy

Inequality has a silver lining. At least the awesomely affluent think so. If we didn’t have grand fortunes, their claim goes, we wouldn’t have grand philanthropy. No foundations and handsome bequests for underwriting good causes. No gifts and grants by the...
The Roaring Twenties Are Back

The Roaring Twenties Are Back

Not much left Worth fighting for; The rich already Won the war. Many of us who have reached Social Security age had a pretty good run. We lived through those heady days that followed the Great Depression and World War II, a delightful — though brief — moment in U.S....