Inequality and Capitalism

Readers Questions To what extent is inequality an essential ingredient of capitalism

A strict definition of capitalism is a society where capital is privately owned and workers paid wages by private firms. Essentially it is a society with minimal government intervention and resources are distributed according to the outcome of free markets.

A looser definition of capitalism is to describe most modern economies are essentially capitalist because business is left to the free market. In practise, in ‘modern capitalist states’, the government intervene in many areas of the economy like business regulation, health care and education. But, it is the free market that dominates in the production and distribution of scarce resources so we may refer to it as capitalist.

Why Inequality is an Essential ingredient of Capitalism

Profit motive. A basic principle of capitalism is that individuals are motivated by the profit incentive. For example, entrepreneurs undertake a risky venture to set up firms because they hope to make substantial profit. If there was not this profit incentive, entrepreneurs would not undertake the risk of setting up a firm. Therefore, you can say the potential of reward makes inequality an essential ingredient of capitalism.

You could argue people may have other motivations for setting up a business than just higher incomes, but most would agree higher income is an important consideration – if not overriding motive.

Work Incentive. Inequality is also important to motivate workers. If every worker received the same wage regardless of skill and effort, there would be no incentive to learn new skills and work hard at the job. A firm in a capitalist society can pay successful workers a higher wage to reflect their higher productivity. This will lead to wage inequality, but without it it would be hard to motivate workers.

Other Types of Inequality in Capitalism

Monopoly Power. The above types of inequality may seem ‘fair’ or justified. If you work hard, you get to benefit from your enterprise. However, capitalism can also lead to inequality which may be seen as unfair. For example, a firm may develop monopoly power. Then it is in a position to charge consumers artificially high prices and deter entry. If firms have monopsony power they can get away with paying a wage much lower than the productivity of the worker. Workers have no choice but to work for a very low wage. Therefore, capitalists with access to private property can ‘exploit’ their monopoly power to make much higher profit than other people in society.

Inheritance. Another aspect of capitalism is that private property can be passed on from one generation to another. Therefore those who inherit capital are able to enjoy high income even without any effort. They have access to best private education and jobs. This creates inequality of opportunity as well as inequality of opportunity.

These types of inequality mean that there isn’t a level playing field; some in society get an unfair advantage, there isn’t equality of opportunity.

It is hard to argue that capitalism won’t inevitably  lead to inequality. A principle of capitalism is to allow income and wages to be distributed by the free market. The only way to ensure wage equality would be through government intervention.

Some people who support a ‘capitalist system’ may argue there is also still necessary for the government to redress some of the inequalities of capitalist society. For example, regulate monopoly power, provide free education so everyone has access to education and equality of opportunity. Perhaps taxing inherited wealth.

But, also by implementing this government intervention, it means society is becoming less ‘capitalist’


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