{"id":2064,"date":"2025-12-06T13:34:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T10:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/ru\/?p=2064"},"modified":"2026-02-04T20:50:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:50:53","slug":"dark-side-of-wealth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/dark-side-of-wealth\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dark Side of Wealth: 5 Facts About How Billionaires Are Undermining the Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In my practice of economic analysis, I constantly encounter the question of the influence of the ultra-wealthy on global systems. The 2025 data is shocking: the capital of billionaires increased by more than 16%, reaching an unprecedented mark of $18.3 trillion. At the same time, as experts note, almost 50% of the planet&#8217;s inhabitants live below the poverty line. This is an alarming imbalance that I observe in my research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways from the New Oxfam Report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This week in Davos, the World Economic Forum is taking place, where the global elite has gathered. Oxfam presented the report &#8220;<em>Resisting the Rule of the Rich<\/em>,&#8221; which I have carefully studied. It clearly shows how the oligarchy and the corporations under their control use resources to maintain power, while ordinary people struggle to cover basic expenses for food, medicine, and housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason 1: The Unfair Origin of the Largest Fortunes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From my experience in analyzing financial flows, I can say: about 60% of billionaires&#8217; capital is based on one of three sources \u2014 inheritance, cronyism with elements of corruption, or a monopoly position. Colossal sums passed down through inheritance are forming a new aristocracy with disproportionate influence.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"http:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/billionaires-fortunes-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"Most of billionaires' wealth is amassed dishonestly\" class=\"wp-image-2065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/billionaires-fortunes-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/billionaires-fortunes-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/billionaires-fortunes-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/billionaires-fortunes.jpg 1344w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Billionaires&#8217; Fortunes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Historical Context of Inequality<\/strong><br>The global economy has deep roots in the colonial system, which historically enriched a narrow stratum. The most vulnerable groups \u2014 the poorest layers, those subjected to racial discrimination, women \u2014 are systematically exploited, leading to social costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason 2: Monopolies as a Source of Global Imbalance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Billionaires often head monopolistic corporations. These structures dictate market rules, control pricing and conditions for suppliers and workers, without suffering significant losses in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"http:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/source-of-global-imbalance-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"Source of global imbalance\" class=\"wp-image-2069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/source-of-global-imbalance-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/source-of-global-imbalance-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/source-of-global-imbalance-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/source-of-global-imbalance.jpg 1344w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Global economic disequilibrium becomes a consequence of monopoly dominance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Rise in Billionaires and Strengthening Control<\/strong> The concentration of industry control directly correlates with the growth of personal fortunes. In 2025, the number of billionaires exceeded 3000 for the first time, and Elon Musk&#8217;s fortune was the first to cross the half-trillion dollar mark.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Examples of Corporate Dominance<\/strong><br>Jeff Bezos created Amazon, which accounts for up to 70% of online sales in key European countries. Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, has a quasi-monopoly on cement production in Nigeria, influencing the entire continental market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason 3: The System Allowing to Avoid Inheritance Taxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, for the first time, more billionaires became rich through inheritance than through entrepreneurial activity. In the next three decades, heirs will receive more than $5.2 trillion. According to my estimates based on Oxfam data, 36% of billionaires&#8217; wealth is inherited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Problem of Inheritance Taxation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Situation<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Consequences<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Absence of inheritance tax in 2\/3 of countries for direct descendants<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Multi-trillion dollar fortunes are transferred without significant fiscal deductions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Half of the world&#8217;s billionaires live in jurisdictions without an inheritance tax<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Preservation and multiplication of capital in the same hands<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The myth that immense wealth is always a reward for genius and hard work is actively promoted by the media, but has little to do with reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason 4: Policy in the Interest of the Elite: The US Example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The year of billionaire Trump&#8217;s presidency showed clear priorities. His administration, surrounded by the ultra-wealthy, pursued policies in the interest of the elite: it cut social programs, restricted workers&#8217; rights, doing little to reduce the cost of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tax Reform as a Tool of Inequality<\/strong><br>With Congressional support, taxes were sharply reduced for corporations and the ultra-rich. The 2027 bill, according to forecasts, will reduce tax payments for the top 0.1% of the richest by $311 thousand per person, while simultaneously raising taxes for low-income households and cutting social protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" data-id=\"2070\" src=\"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Politics-in-the-interests-of-the-elite-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"The policy of the American billionaire leader serves the interests of the financial elite.\" class=\"wp-image-2070\" title=\"In his activities, the head of the American state - a billionaire - is guided by the demands of the rich.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Politics-in-the-interests-of-the-elite-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Politics-in-the-interests-of-the-elite-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Politics-in-the-interests-of-the-elite-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/investopedia.su\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Politics-in-the-interests-of-the-elite.jpg 1344w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason 5: A Carbon Footprint Disproportionate to Responsibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all face the consequences of climate change: hurricanes, fires, floods. Billionaires significantly accelerate this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Oxfam, the carbon emission of one person from the top 0.1% of the richest in a day exceeds the annual emission of the poorest 50% of people on the planet. If everyone lived at such an emission level, the limit on emissions without climate catastrophe would be exhausted in less than 3 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As an expert, I believe:<\/strong> The growth of global inequality has reached a critical point. A tough policy towards billionaires is needed, countering the power of the ultra-rich, and decisive actions by governments to reduce the gap, limit the influence of this class, and return political weight to society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<div class=\"pld-like-dislike-wrap pld-template-1\">\r\n    <div class=\"pld-like-wrap  pld-common-wrap\">\r\n    <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"pld-like-trigger pld-like-dislike-trigger  \" title=\"\" data-post-id=\"2064\" data-trigger-type=\"like\" data-restriction=\"cookie\" data-already-liked=\"0\">\r\n                        <i class=\"fas fa-thumbs-up\"><\/i>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n    <span class=\"pld-like-count-wrap pld-count-wrap\">    <\/span>\r\n<\/div><div class=\"pld-dislike-wrap  pld-common-wrap\">\r\n    <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"pld-dislike-trigger pld-like-dislike-trigger  \" title=\"\" data-post-id=\"2064\" data-trigger-type=\"dislike\" data-restriction=\"cookie\" data-already-liked=\"0\">\r\n                        <i class=\"fas fa-thumbs-down\"><\/i>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n    <span class=\"pld-dislike-count-wrap pld-count-wrap\"><\/span>\r\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In my practice of economic analysis, I constantly encounter the question of the influence of the ultra-wealthy on global systems.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2067,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_daextam_enable_autolinks":"1","footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[120],"class_list":["post-2064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-debriefing"],"authors":[{"term_id":120,"user_id":4,"is_guest":0,"slug":"combas","display_name":"Combas","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4d3a546f55d9f500d4fc414bcadff4b37158c5271fac6d9359d24500e366c4d7?s=96&d=robohash&r=g","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2064","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2064"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2064\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2077,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2064\/revisions\/2077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2064"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2064"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2064"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investopedia.su\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2064"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}