#### The New Empire of Inequality: When the Rich Rule and the Poor Revolt

Recent studies on the global economy—especially the G-20 panel report—have once again made it evident that inequality in the distribution of wealth and resources has reached its peak. According to the report, nearly 63 percent of the world’s newly generated wealth is now held by just one percent of the richest population, while the bottom 50 percent share only one percent. This inequality is not merely economic—it is a sign of a moral, social, and humanitarian crisis. It also poses a serious obstacle to building an ideal global order. This is a tragic, rebellious, and paradoxical situation in which, on one hand, millions of people are taking to the streets for basic necessities, while on the other, the tales of luxury and extravagance among the wealthy continue to grow. Since the onset of liberalization and globalization, economic inequality has shown no sign of slowing down, giving rise to growing voices of rebellion and revolution across the world.

Between 2000 and 2024, the global economy witnessed unprecedented growth—technological advancement, increased production, and expansion of markets under globalization. Yet, the fruits of this progress were not shared equally. The rich become richer, and the poor poorer. In the year 2000, the top one percent of the global population owned 45 percent of total wealth; by 2024, this figure had climbed to over 63 percent. During the same period, the wealth share of more than half the world’s population fell to just one percent. These numbers are not just statistics—they are signals of humanity’s direction, revealing that in the name of progress, we are constructing an empire of imbalance. This imbalance is now breeding rebellion, violence, and alienation. According to the G-20 panel’s findings, global inequality has reached alarming levels—and India is no exception. Within just two decades, the richest one percent in India have increased their wealth by 62 percent. In this world’s fourth-largest economy, the rich continue to amass wealth, while the poor struggle in the pits of deprivation and despair.

The Oxfam India report reveals that the top ten percent of Indians hold 77 percent of the nation’s total wealth, while the bottom 60 percent share only 4.7 percent. Over the past decade, the number of billionaires has doubled, but the incomes of workers, farmers, and the middle class have either stagnated or declined. On one side, metropolitan skylines glitter with skyscrapers, luxury, and overconsumption; on the other, villages and slums fight for bread and medicine. This stark contrast has become the biggest question mark on our development journey. Undoubtedly, the recent panel report should inspire policymakers to bridge this widening gap and discover new ways to restore balance. Just last week, the Kerala government claimed to have eradicated extreme poverty from the state—though some experts remain skeptical. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve to build a “poverty-free India” is progressing with remarkable success; nearly 250 million people have reportedly been lifted out of poverty. Earlier this year, the World Bank confirmed that between 2011–12 and 2022–23, India succeeded in pulling 170 million people out of the clutches of poverty.

The benefits of the Modi government’s people-centered development and community participation cannot be denied. These initiatives have helped millions of the poorest families access food, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. Yet, economic inequality in India remains not only a financial concern but also the root of discontent and violence. When a hardworking person does not receive fair compensation, when opportunities and respect are not distributed equitably, frustration and rebellion inevitably arise. The renowned economist Thomas Piketty has rightly said, “When the rate of return on capital exceeds the rate of economic growth, inequality increases, and democracy itself is endangered.” This is precisely what we are witnessing today. Economic imbalance is leading to social imbalance—creating an atmosphere of distrust, resentment, and hostility.

The COVID-19 pandemic deepened this inequality even further. While millions lost jobs and livelihoods, a handful of corporations and industrialists multiplied their fortunes. The crisis itself became an opportunity for a select few. Wars, energy crises, and inflation have made the situation of poor nations even more fragile. Meanwhile, multinational corporations from rich countries profited immensely from these crises, while developing nations saw declines in food security, education, and healthcare. We have reduced the meaning of development to mere GDP growth, stripping it of its moral and human dimensions. Values like equality, empathy, and environmental justice have vanished from the definition of progress. Rich nations exploit the resources of poorer ones, while the labor of the poor becomes the foundation of global production. This is a new form of economic colonialism—where capital, not governments, rules the world.

However, poverty eradication cannot be captured merely through numbers. Real transformation must be visible on the ground—in improved quality of life and human dignity. Though most economists oppose wealth taxation, governments must ensure that the ultra-rich contribute their fair share to public welfare. Whether rich or poor, everyone’s focus must be directed toward inclusive development. Only then can the nation achieve productivity and make meaningful progress toward eliminating poverty. Such an approach will help realize the dream of a New India—a Developed India.

The only path to overcoming the imbalance between wealth and poverty lies in just redistribution of resources, equal opportunity, and socially oriented policies. Tax systems must ensure that the rich contribute more so that the poor may gain access to education, healthcare, and a better standard of living. True equality of opportunity will come only when education and healthcare are universally accessible. Democracy requires transparency and accountability, so that policies are framed for citizens, not merely for capital. Yet real change will come not just from policy, but from vision. As Swami Vivekananda said, “The poor are not sinners; they are living gods. Service to them is service to God.” Another truth must be recognized: when a few possess everything, the rest are left with nothing. Therefore, governments must rise above vote-bank politics and take sincere steps toward equality and balance. Moreover, the rapidly increasing practice of distributing freebies before elections must be curbed. The reality is that no facility is ever truly free. Such populist measures only widen fiscal deficits, forcing citizens to pay the price through halted or delayed development programs.By