Cronyism and social programs are causes of inequality, not capitalism

The levels of income inequality around the globe can be measured through standards of living and overall human quality of life. The United State is relatively high in terms of income inequality, but not because of a system fundamentally against the wishes of social mobility for the poor. Technological innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of the American economy, and some of the most wealthy people provide the most resources for the poor. When looking across the income inequality within individual countries, the most unequal are usually associated with corruption and cronyism, along with governmental programs that de-incentivize entrepreneurship and investment. Though China's income inequality has risen, "general living standards have soared: since 1990, China’s real GDP per capita has expanded 10‐​fold and the share of its population living in severe poverty has plunged from 47 percent to just 1 percent."^[1] When examining wealth inequality, the detractors of capitalism need to look to other countries and figure out the real causes of unequal distribution.

[P1] Cronyism and social programs exacerbate income inequality, which has been proven throughout the index of inequality in individual countries plagued by these issues. [P2] Capitalism should not be treated as an evil to be conquered and the driving force for these problems. [P3] Capitalism itself does not cause widespread income inequality.