I wrote: On the contrary, the book says there must be variation in wealth for > capitalism to work. >
That is not capitalism as we have known it. We are talking about neo-capitalism, or reformed capitalism for a world in which most people do no labor, and machines do nearly all useful work. That includes stocking grocery store shelves, driving trucks, and also most work that nowadays is considered "intellectual" or something that only people can do, such as radiology. Capitalism, like all human institutions, must constantly change and adapt to circumstances, or it will vanish the way Feudalism and Communism did before it. There is no stasis in society. Institutions that appear to be stable and unchanging are actually corroding. That is true of all institutions and systems, including ones we do not think of as subject to chance, such as experimental science and orthography. Experimental science with modern instruments is not same as it was with 19th century instruments and methods of education. That is not to say it has changed completely or it is unrecognizable. - Jed
