1. The statistics on wealth inequality in the US on page 29 of the article revealed that the top 1% owned around 50% of the nation’s wealth. This clearly shows how unevenly wealth is distributed in society. Even though the 1% is a small share of the population, it’s surprising to me how much wealth they control in the US, while the rest own far less. Because large fortunes are inherited, this shows how wealth is concentrated across generations.
  2. Access to opportunities is one implication for people living in a society with significant wealth inequalities. Wealthier people have access to better education, health care, and financial protection, while people with lower incomes struggle with rent, food, and debt. The argument that Perenti makes in the article is that these inequalities allow wealthy individuals to have greater economic power. We see this dynamic in everyday life, where the wealthy buy property and build more equity, while lower-income people live paycheck to paycheck, spending a large portion of their check on rent and food with little money left over for investments.

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