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I think there are much more interesting ways to view hierarchies of wealth.

Level one is living on the fruits of ones labors. Your wealth is based on what you do.

Level two is living on your assets, or capital. Your wealth is based on what you have.

Level three (rare in 20th/21st century) is living on your conquest and subjugation of others. Your wealth is based on who you are.[1]

[1] I speak not so much of colonial conquest, or subjugation of native peoples by outsiders, but rather of local conquest - you may not have killed all the other claimants to the local throne, but your grandfather did and nobody is challenging you.



Is this a useful view, though? It seems like level 1 is 99% of people, level 2 is 1% of people, and level 3 doesn't happen in the western world.





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