Before the emergence of free market capitalism, most people with material wealth were rich because they stole from others. They lived from taxation, confiscation, pillaging and forced labor. For most of human history, only the top .01% – mostly rulers, were wealthy. When humans finally began to live free from tyrannical governments, and at last began to enjoy limited government and free enterprise with the invention of America, wealth exploded.
The more free enterprise, the less people languishing in poverty. Thank you for being part of it.
I agree with what Larry is saying here, but credit also should be given to the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment.The Dutch invented our current form of capitalism with the first stock exchanges. much of our progress comes from cooperation (infrastructure)coupled with technology. We live in amazing times.