The ability of those who wield great public and private power to flout the law and ethical norms for personal gain is one of the more glaring manifestations of inequality. The poor get life sentences for petty crimes, while bankers who fleece the public of billions get invitations to White House state dinners.
有人能利用巨大的公私权力蔑视法律及伦理规范来谋取私利是不平等最明目张胆的表现。穷人因为轻微的犯罪就被判处无期，而欺诈公众数十亿美元的银行家却应邀出席白宫的国宴。中世纪英国一首著名的小曲表明这种现象自古就有：