What caused economic inequality to sharply increase starting in ~1980?
Seems like a pretty straightforward question
so now i have to explain exactly how economics works...
those with Capital use that Capital to amass more Capital.
those without Capital sell their sweat to those WITH Capital, in exchange for currency
when those with Capital can must pay more to Labour for their sweat, Profits decrease for Capital
when Profits decrease for Capital, Labour has more currency
when the reverse occurs, Capital makes more Profit, and Labour has less Profit
blaming Capital for the rest of the world rebuilding their manufacturing infrastructure after WW2 resulting in more competition in the Labour pool is like blaming cats for chasing mice.
American Labour now has to compete with Foreign Labour, as well as unrestricted illegal immigration, a regulatory and tax scheme that seems to be designed to drive US companies to foreign shores, and shitheels who scream cry and hurl blame at anyone who is successful.
Labour has lost a lot of power, and wages are down as a result. this is not the fault of Capital, it is the inescapable cycle of economics.