By now, almost everyone is aware of the astonishing economic rise of the top one percent in America. As indicated by a recent piece published by the Brookings Institute, the top 1 percent of U.S. residents now earn twenty one percent of total national income, up from 10 percent in nineteen seventy nine.
Some economists, like Gregory Mankiw, argue that these elite earnings are based upon intelligence, specialized skills and valuable contributions to the economy. A globally integrated, technologically driven economy has shifted large-scale economic opportunities to this group, allowing them to generate extremely high incomes.
However, according to writer Jonathan Rothwell, "There is no evidence to support the idea that the top one percent consists mostly of people of exceptional talent. In fact, there is quite a bit of evidence to the contrary."
Rather than relying on talent, the top 1 percent is more likely to rely on a positions in society that effectively shield them from vigorous competition according to Rothwell. One way that the top 1 percent cements their position is by occupying the financial sector and accessing above market returns on their investments.
