Takers, Not Makers
The unjust poverty and unearned wealth of colonialism
It’s never been a better time to be a billionaire. Billionaire wealth has risen three times faster in 2024 than 2023. Five trillionaires are now expected within a decade. Meanwhile, the number of people living in poverty has barely changed since 1990. Most billionaire wealth is taken, not earned — 60% comes from either inheritance, cronyism and corruption or monopoly power. Their wealth has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, while people living in poverty all over the world continue to face multiple crises.