An economic system can remain viable only so long as society has mechanisms to counter abuses of either state or market power and the erosion of the natural, social, and moral capital that such abuses commonly exacerbate.

The first principle of the market economy is that it is comprised of many small buyers and sellers, which implies a substantial degree of equity. Another fundamental market principle is that costs are internalized in the producer's price.

But we can also take the radical view that the test of an economy has to do with the extent to which it is providing everybody with a decent means of living.

As an economy measures performance in terms of the creation of money, people become a major source of inefficiency.

It is interesting to note that the 200 richest people have more assets than the 2 billion poorest.

Wall Street sees a social fabric or social contract as inefficiencies, which need to be removed.

In a world of increasing inequality, the legitimacy of institutions that give precedence to the property rights of 'the Haves' over the human rights of 'the Have Nots' is inevitably called into serious question.