Summary

Oxfam’s 2024 inequality report revealed a record $2 trillion increase in billionaire wealth, reaching $15 trillion, while global poverty rates remain stagnant.

The top 1% own 45% of all wealth, and 44% of people live on less than $6.85 daily.

Oxfam predicts five trillionaires within a decade, citing inheritance and cronyism as key wealth drivers. Elon Musk may become the first trillionaire by 2027.

Oxfam calls for tax reform, monopoly regulation, and income redistribution to address inequality.

Critics warn unchecked wealth concentration threatens democracy and economic fairness.

  • whotookkarl@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    30
    ·
    4 hours ago

    When money is used in society as security for basic rights like a home, food and clean water, healthcare, political representation in government, then people hoarding wealth at the detriment of others are responsible and shouldn’t be surprised when those same people they oppress become violent.

  • eran_morad@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    3 hours ago

    I mean, there is a way to cure billionaires and prevent trillionaires. Several cures, actually, some of which are likely more palatable than others.

  • Flocklesscrow@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    91
    ·
    7 hours ago

    These are direct results of the government’s failure to govern. The whole purpose of government is to regulate.

    Billionaire wealth should have immediately been taxed at the highest historical levels. Now we’re past the tipping point and have to simply endure living in an empire as it crumbles around us, while masses of rubes cheer their oppressors.

  • crystalmerchant@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    4 hours ago

    No shit, fuckin obviously. This is how money works. The point is not the number it is the proportion (though obv they’re related)

      • CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        32
        ·
        10 hours ago

        I can’t remember where I heard this but apparently there are therapists for very rich people.

        The therapist was on a podcast I think and discussing what they talk about.

        Basically all rich people fear not having enough money. No matter how rich they get, they fear and obsess over not having enough money.

        I thought it was interesting. These are people richer than God and they always want more.

          • NewNewAccount@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            6
            ·
            7 hours ago

            These rich people, having billions at their command, are set for like twenty lifetimes over.

            I get your point and hate to be overly pedantic but even a billionaire with “only” one billion dollars, using the most conservative investment strategy would literally have enough money for 200 people to earn $200,000/year forever.

          • bdonvr@thelemmy.club
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            6 hours ago

            Assuming you pull a salary for 60 years you could earn $100,000/yr for over 150 lifetimes with literally just one billion dollars.

          • snekerpimp@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            13
            ·
            9 hours ago

            Their children’s children’s children will be unimaginably wealthy. There is no need for any one person to have that much. We’re supposed to be in space ships exploring the galaxy, not lining up to work ourselves to death so some mentally unstable chode’s great-great-grandkids can go to an Ivy League school.

          • Free_Opinions@feddit.uk
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            8
            ·
            9 hours ago

            One million invested to the stock market pays you on average 70k a year in interests. Now imagine having a billion on the stock market.

            • bdonvr@thelemmy.club
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              3
              ·
              6 hours ago

              Almost all the world could live anywhere from insanely comfortable to fairly comfortable with $70k/yr

        • jaybone@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          7 hours ago

          If this is true, why then do they need to buy super ultra giant mega-yachts, private jets, mansions, islands, etc?

          If you are worried about running out of money, you should be living a very meager and humble life. Is that what their therapist tells them, as part of their therapy?

          I think they are more worried about running out of asshole.

          • Devorlon@lemmy.zip
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            2 hours ago

            Taking someone out on your yacht to finish a business deal is extremely common.

    • brlemworld@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      12
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      7 hours ago

      Even if every single person stopped using them. They would still be billionaires, and still be making money by other means.

      • blindbunny
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        5 hours ago

        Interesting you think if everyone stopped using Amazon it wouldn’t effect him. What’s your twitter handle?

    • blackberry@midwest.social
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      14
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      7 hours ago

      only way I see an option to not is to live similar to Amish lifestyles in the US, but even then, I assume AWS, Meta and Alphabet can make some money off their existence through satellites and IP cameras

      I don’t disagree with you and not arguing not to be aware of individual actions. it just seems the situation is more dire than just not giving them our money or data

    • Lemminary@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      7 hours ago

      Unfortunately I don’t have a viable alternative for some goods from Amazon without a good price increase because local sellers up the price on top of the import fees.

      On the bright side, I don’t shop there often and it’s mostly limited to electronics.