Leaders | The return of inheritocracy

Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working

More wealth means more money for baby-boomers to pass on. That is dangerous for capitalism and society

A golden pacifier
image: Javier Jaen

Work hard, children are told, and you will succeed. In recent decades this advice served the talented and the diligent well. Many have made their own fortunes and live comfortably, regardless of how much money they inherited. Now, however, the importance of hereditary wealth is rising around the rich world, and that is a problem.

Explore more

the-economist-today
The Economist today

Handpicked stories, in your inbox

A daily newsletter with the best of our journalism

Prabowo Subianto reacts to supporters from a car as he leaves his residence in Jakarta, Indonesia on February 14th 2024

Prabowo Subianto takes a chainsaw to Indonesia’s budget

The result? More money for the president’s boondoggles

How to help young Africans thrive

As the rest of the world ages, young Africans are becoming more important