Gary Stevenson, former city trader who made millions from betting on growing inequality, discusses wealth inequality and the proposal of a wealth tax. He explores practical ways to tackle the issue of the very rich accumulating assets and emphasizes the need for popular support and substantive change in wealth taxation. They also discuss the increasing inequality in Nigeria and the lack of visibility regarding poverty. The speaker shares their disappointment in the lack of tax justice organizations and expresses their commitment to preventing societal collapse. They discuss the author's experience as a trader, their motivations, accurate predictions, and building a political platform.
Understanding the economic system is crucial for determining one's earning potential
Rapid wealth inequality poses a threat to living standards and needs to be addressed
Taxing the rich, especially those with wealth above £10 million, can help reduce wealth inequality
Deep dives
Introducing the Making Money Masterclass
The podcast host announces the launch of the Making Money Masterclass, a series of weekly live stream sessions with regulated financial advisors. The masterclass aims to provide in-depth knowledge on topics such as pension withdrawals, cash flow modeling, mortgages and property, tax efficiency strategies, and advanced index fund investing. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own circumstances to tailor the sessions to their needs and interact with fellow participants and the host. Limited spaces are available, and interested individuals can sign up to the waiting list.
Gary Stevenson's Journey from City Trader to Inequality Economist
Gary Stevenson, a former city trader, discusses his background growing up in a low-income family and his obsession with making money. He highlights the growing inequality in society and questions where the wealth is going. As an advocate for improving living standards, he emphasizes the need to understand the economic system and criticizes economists for being detached from reality. Gary shares his insights into the trading world and the importance of understanding people's financial circumstances to truly grasp the state of the economy.
The Rising Inequality and Threat to Middle-Class Living Standards
Gary Stevenson highlights the rapid rise of inequality in the country, expressing concerns that if left unchecked, living standards may mirror those in countries like Nigeria and Brazil. He argues that wealth is increasingly accumulated by the rich, while the middle class and government struggle with increasing debts. He emphasizes the need to address this issue and prevent further wealth concentration in the hands of the wealthy elite.
Addressing Wealth Inequality Through Taxation
Gary Stevenson advocates for taxing the rich and discusses how the very wealthy are taking advantage of loopholes and exemptions, allowing them to accumulate wealth while paying little to no tax. He suggests taxing individuals with wealth above £10 million at a 1% rate as a way to address wealth inequality. Furthermore, he highlights the flaws in arguments against taxing the rich, including the misconception that they are highly mobile and will leave the country. Gary stresses the necessity of popular support for such tax reforms and the need for ordinary people to recognize the true threat to their living standards.
Understanding the Massive Government Deficits: Who Benefits?
The podcast episode explores the significant government deficits resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, with over £800 billion pounds issued at the time of recording. The episode delves into the question of who actually benefits from these massive sums of money. It highlights that it is not the furloughed workers or the companies paying their wages, as their incomes have been substituted. Rather, the big winners are the rich who had previously been spending significant amounts on luxury items, which became non-essential during the pandemic. The episode emphasizes the disproportionate accumulation of cash by wealthy individuals and families who invest in assets, including stocks, shares, and properties, ultimately increasing wealth inequality.
Understanding the Wealth Disparity and the Need for Action
The podcast addresses the lack of awareness surrounding the wealth and spending power of the rich and powerful. It discusses how ordinary people often underestimate the wealth of the ultra-rich based on their own limited experiences and understanding. The episode highlights the importance of recognizing the existence of a small group of wealthy families who own significant commercial wealth, including businesses, properties, and mortgages. It emphasizes the need for people to understand that the economy does not properly reward hard work, and that social and economic inequalities persist. The podcast encourages individuals to be proud of their efforts and successes, even if they come from less privileged backgrounds, and to advocate for a fairer economy that does not solely benefit the wealthy elite.
Gary Stevenson is a former city trader who made millions from betting on growing inequality. With his YouTube Channel @GarysEconomics he now campaigns to end the very thing he made money from. He's written a book called ‘The Trading Game: A Confession’ about his experiences in finance and what drove him to leave a life where he earnt millions a year.
He warns that without a tax on the super rich, wealth inequality will continue to increase, leaving the majority of us much worse off.
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This is not financial advice. The reason it’s not financial advice is because it’s not tailored to you. We explain the principles of building wealth but if you want personalised advice, it’s worth speaking to a financial advisor. As with everything financial, please do your own research. We really encourage that because no one cares more about your money than you and if you learn the basics then it will change your life.
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