Income Inequality and War

The statistics say that there was a big surge in income inequality in the early 20th Century that culminated in WW II.  After WW II income inequality fell for 40 years or so, and during that 40 years the world was relatively peaceful, other than proxy wars between the US and the Soviet Union.  Income inequality then began to rise again and now we are back in a time where income inequality is high and conflict is bursting out all over the globe.

Common sense supports the notion that income inequality would feed into rising conflict.  Money left in the hands of rich people is more likely to buy an existing asset than take a chance on creating something new that needs to be grown or manufactured (and thus creates jobs).  So as more money accumulates in fewer hands less money is available to support jobs.  Young people are normally disproportionately hurt by a lack of jobs and young people with no future are more open to the notions of the angry and ambitious - from Hitler in the1930's to ISIS today.  

Is the World drifting toward some version of WW III because of our inability to consider income inequality as a real problem?  The people that have a lot of wealth see the whole notion of considering income inequality to be a threat - a ploy for the less wealthy to nibble away at the wealth of the most successful.  The reality is the extremely wealthy are relatively unaffected by war.  In fact it may be a tool they can use to become wealthier.  

The impact of war falls disproportionately on those of us who are not wealthy.  Our children fight the war, and in countries surrounded by other countries (not surrounded by oceans) its often the homes of the regular folks that form the battleground.

Many wealthy people will spend lots of money and work really hard to make sure income inequality is not even a discussion item on a political agenda.  We shouldn't let that happen.