The social status competition associated with severe income inequality generates society-wide negative externalities across all income groups, but especially lower social classes:

  • decreased lifespan
  • decreased physical & mental health
  • increased violence
  • increased homicide
  • increased teen pregnancy
  • decreased social trust
  • decreased social connection
Minimally coercive, maximally efficient solutions:
  • Worker-owned & controlled corporations (The Ownership Solution)
  • Steeply progressive consumption tax (Robert H. Frank, “A Remedy Worse Than the Disease“)