Occupy movement was born.

Why were people so upset? How much wealth is concentrated among the top 1% in our society? How did they

acquire so much wealth? These are very real, very important questions in the United States now, and this chapter on

poverty and economic inequality will help us address the causes behind this sentiment.
360 15 • Poverty and Economic Inequality

The labor markets that determine the pay that workers receive do not take into account how much income a

family needs for food, shelter, clothing, and health care. Market forces do not worry about what happens to

families when a major local employer goes out of business. Market forces do not take time to contemplate

whether those who are earning higher incomes should pay an even higher share of taxes.

However, labor markets do create considerable income inequalities. In 2020, the median American household
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