经济学家警告：未来十年有超70万亿美元遗产传承，将加剧贫富分化

Core Insights - The upcoming G20 meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, is set against the backdrop of a looming "inheritance tsunami," with over $70 trillion in wealth expected to be passed down over the next decade, primarily benefiting the wealthiest families and exacerbating wealth concentration [1][3][19] - A report led by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz reveals that over 80% of countries are experiencing widening wealth gaps, with 83% of nations meeting the World Bank's definition of high inequality [1][5][19] - The report highlights that the richest 1% captured 41% of all new wealth created from 2000 to 2024, while the bottom 50% received only 1% [1][3][5] Wealth Inequality and Its Implications - The concentration of wealth is shifting society from "meritocratic capitalism" to "hereditary capitalism," undermining social mobility and economic efficiency [3][5] - High inequality correlates with a sevenfold increase in the likelihood of democratic decline, as evidenced by rising support for populist parties in various countries [7][9][19] - The erosion of trust in democratic institutions is linked to economic disparities, where ordinary citizens feel disenfranchised while elites control resources [9][11] Global Response to Inequality - There is a significant divide among G20 nations regarding approaches to wealth redistribution, with emerging economies advocating for stronger global wealth regulation, while some developed nations express concerns over market intervention [13][19] - The implementation of inheritance taxes is contentious, with countries like France and Japan facing capital flight due to high tax rates, while others like the U.S. have high exemption thresholds that allow wealth to bypass taxation [15][17] - Developing countries face additional challenges, including low coverage of inheritance taxes and resistance from elite classes, which complicates efforts to address inequality [17][19] Proposed Solutions - Experts suggest establishing a permanent monitoring body under the G20, similar to the IPCC, to systematically track inequality trends and assess their socio-economic impacts [19][21] - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is positioning the G20 meeting as a platform to prioritize inequality on the international agenda, aiming to foster global cooperation [19][21] - The potential establishment of an inequality monitoring committee has garnered support from several G20 members, indicating a growing consensus on the need for coordinated action [21][23]