Why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer | Us & Them | DW Documentary

[@RaveiD]

This video has succinctly encapsulate the adage "Privilege is invisible to those who have it".

[@donnamak3880]

What the video can never capture is the risk and sacrifices people made to build up a business and to maintain a business. If it was that easy, everyone would have done it. Then when these people receive their rewards, others called them privileged. Should others who have never done the same deserve the same rewards?

[@DEVAEGIR]

@@donnamak3880 OK, but there are many points here that you are very casually ignoring. First, to start a business, you need capital. Something, anything, even collateral. Many do not have that, or, if they do, may not be able to risk it, if it is literally the only thing that they may rely on in case of an emergency. Second, yes, there are people who have worked hard, but working hard is not enough any more. There are people who work three jobs and are barely able to make rent. Third, and a major problem with your argument: yes, there were people who worked hard (when they had more opportunity in a regulated economy and a regulated market), but how about their kids who didn't do diddly squat? Are they not privileged? And from here on, there are many other strands of observation and argumentation one might follow, about growing up in poverty, about access to education, about access to a social circle, about glass ceilings, and so on. You know, the 'self-made millionaire' trope is a myth, right from the same storybook as the fable about the guy who finds an apple on the side of the road, gives it a shine, and sells it, then buys two apples, &c. Bezos started Amazon from his dad's garage, you will say? Yes, he did, but first, his dad had a house with a garage (and enough money to put good old Jeff through college), and second, Jeff's uncle also gave him $100K starting capital. Musk? Even if he himself might have been penniless (he wasn't, his family was loaded), through his father who owned a mine, he had access to the right people. Call is 'social credit'... Do these people work hard? Yes, they do. But they did not start from zero. And yes, this is privilege. To have a home mortgage-free in London is privilege. To have some form of asset, or capital, even social capital - that is privilege. Making money, today, is virtually impossible without having it already. And there are generally only three ways to get 'there': be born with it, inherit it, or steal it.

[@DavidLockett-x4b]

Not so. I am fully aware of how fortunate I have been, and of how many others are less fortunate. I know not why God and the universe has smiled on me, and count my blessings daily.

[@CrimsonA1]

@donnamak3880 People who ask for help are not asking for the same rewards as the rich, just that they have enough to get by. The disparity today is that more and more rich people are influencing governments everywhere to favor their class and theirs alone through lobbying or straight-up bribery (tax-avoidance, changing laws, etc). Corruption exists on systemic levels, ESPECIALLY among the rich, and when a majority of people are unable to afford basic necessities and even get blamed for something that's not their fault? That's when things start getting very chaotic. Many people who worked to earn more wealth in their life-times couldn't have done it without a safe home, adequate parental care (requires a stable family dynamic), a good quality education, some start-up capital, and knowing the right people, which can come with simply being related to your well-off parents. Not saying they need all the things I just listed to succeed, but a majority of a person's life needs to have a strong base from the get-go to make it. Oh, don't forget all the public infrastructure like roads, trains, busses, clean water supplies, and electricity (just to name a few) that many of these "self-made" people were lucky enough to have growing up. So, please stop thinking that the poor want to be exactly like the rich, they just want to live a comfortable life, and that doesn't need things like big homes and mega-yachts.

[@omar403o7]

That lady saying everyone has the same opportunity as her is not that intelligent. There are disparities based on neighborhoods, towns, urban vs rural poverty, cities or even whole countries. Someone from Central African republic which is one of the poorest countries in Africa doesn’t have to same opportunities vs someone in Britain.

[@GeertTheDestoyer]

She's not stupid, she knows very well what she said is untrue. She just states this because it is in her best interest.

[@ebubechiibegbula5968]

That's the cognitive dissonance most rich people choose to have to justify their wealth hoarding....and justify low taxes for themselves and laws to gut social welfare program.

[@Bulletguy07]

@@ebubechiibegbula5968 She lives in Belgravia where property costs millions. People like her live on another planet and are totally detached from reality.

[@creestee08]

south korea and singapore and very good models from being a 3rd world into a 1st world. opportunites are everywhere.

[@Kelogotti]

@@ebubechiibegbula5968bro my grandpa became a millionaire from anambra, Nigeria. It’s hard work plus natural intelligence. Most follow all the rules set forth working hard but never get rich. You gotta set forth your own rules that’s Americas problem now. Plus public school. Like the election coming forth people are actually voting Kamala whe her camp has us suffering. Do you think that type of person is smart? No they have to be told what to think not everyone is Intelligent to think for themselves & you need that to become rich.

[@amuletts]

Rich Lady: "I started off living a very conventional life. I was a debutante." Ah yes, and that opportunity is available to everyone!!

[@stewartdahamman]

Yes - being a debutante just reeks of poverty and lack of opportunity ...

[@karlasouza6104]

Exactly, because having the opportunity to just travel to another European country to open a night club for the elite is so common it stinks working class background sooooo bad...

[@DEVAEGIR]

'Debutante'... That's Belgravia speak for Blackadder's 'will you please go on the game? It's a steady job, and you'll be working from home.' :)

[@stewartdahamman]

@@DEVAEGIR Not many can say they get to lie down on the job either 😂

[@aidanhoneyman8544]

if all you had to do to get rich is work hard, far more people would be millionaires. It is the biggest scam ever

[@geoms6263]

I bet you they'd rather sit in front of the TV for hours eating crisps.....hard work

[@alexnistor2452]

It s about working smart not hard

[@BennyDACHO]

​@@geoms6263 Exactly. Some years back I started improving my life, and what you start to notice is that people actually do not work hard. As you wrote, they sit in front of the TV eating crisps. They do nothing to improve their lives. They can't be bothered - they are tired. They drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, drink booze, have a gym membership they never use, and so on it goes. Go to any street, people walk slowly in no rush at all and hardly anyone runs to their destination. The ones that run in the morning who are in good shape are the same ones that earn a good living. You just know it when you see it.

[@as-1982]

@@alexnistor2452 Working smart is only for smart people.

[@mokwenathato830]

Work smart you cant go to college become a nurse and expect to be rich or become a teacher and expect to be rich .it doesn't work like that baba

[@somerandomfella]

Even if everyone had the same starting point, there will never be such thing as equality.

[@leannesampson3199]

One can not have universal Equality, but one should be able to have universal opportunity and accessibility to the drivers of wealth : ability/skills/education, opportunity and access to money.

[@isunlloaoll]

But that's what equality means. We all start on the same starting line, and have the same resources starting out. The problem now is that some babies are born to billions of wealth, go to prestigious schools, all the while many more kids are food insecure and have poor education.

[@robertgworek2497]

@@isunlloaoll What do you mean by "now"? It's been always like that. Actually today, if the person has been born poor, that person has much bigger chances not being poor in the future that at any other time in history.

[@Vlad-bs1js]

@@robertgworek2497 And how exactly did you come to that conclusion? Did you by any chance compare the % of people who rose the ranks from each period in our history?

[@UCiWrMgES50tlUhV3l6NqjNA]

equality is very simple, its just a matter of taxing the wealth...you don't have to beat anybody for them to be equal to others, its just a law that you can't run away from, unless you don't want to keep your business going.

[@josepedrosantiagosilva9625]

In Europe, there's a growing sense of neglect towards the younger generation. They face lower salaries, longer work hours, and increased responsibilities while witnessing a surge in billionaires, particularly in countries like Germany. The housing market adds to their woes, as property prices soar, making it difficult to afford homes, let alone start families. To compensate, cheap labor from abroad is often favored, leading to frustration among the youth, who feel betrayed. People aren't inherently racist, but this frustration arises when governments prioritize external labor over addressing domestic issues. It's high time politicians acknowledge and tackle these pressing concerns rather than resorting to distractions. The younger generation deserves meaningful change.

[@benbonaparte4132]

Yes indeed. I just had a nice talk with a guy in his 50s. At first he was proud, talking about his wage which doubled compared to when he was young. However i asked about costs like food, cars, rent, a cup of coffee. Those things are now 4-20 times more expensive. Everybody is feeling like this.

[@mickl3073]

The attitude of the normal people made me smile and feel glad. The wealthy guy in SA was a good guy but the wealthy debuntante woman reminded me of Mr Gradgrind from Dickens novel 'Hard Times'.

[@ebaidora-vs6rq]

Oh Hard times. I read that book and in school

[@DavidLockett-x4b]

I was a poor, and fatherless child, but now following a lifetime of work I am comfortably wealthy, contented and happy, and what I have built, my surviving children will benefit from. What else should, or can a man do other than care for his family and friends, and love God?

[@gobot4455]

I have grown from abject poverty (war refugee) to well off (top 10% earner, US). What I have observed is that it is not what you know but who you know that determines your success. You will only rise so high on the wings of your talent. The rest is a myth invented to keep those below you down, and a balm to soothe what passes for a conscience.

[@orangeninja912]

You can say that again.

[@Lovetoall14]

Imagine if you never came to the US. You would have not risen at all. 😂 It’s all luck. 🍀

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

@@Lovetoall14 those lucky? work hard. Strange dont you think. not much is dependend on luck, its to calm all those that can´t or will do what it takes.

[@Lovetoall14]

@@mabuhayproductionltd3627 90% of people work hard they don’t get to come to the United States from their third world countries. Less than 1% get that chance. It’s all luck. A baby could die at birth from an incurable disease. Did they not work hard? What other than luck allows a stray bullet to kill you but not me? Or for you to be born in Russia and me in Britain. Luck.

[@ariefraiser140]

​@@mabuhayproductionltd3627YES it's luck. I have a cousin from a poor country who graduated college and could only find a job paying $100/MONTH in that country. And he was considered lucky to even have that job because multiple graduates couldn't even find jobs. He won the lottery to come to the US. He came, took a 9 months IT bootcamp worked his way up through the industry and is now in the top 10% of earners in the US. His work habit didn't suddenly change when he came to the US. He didn't suddenly become smarter when he came to the US. In fact he was working even harder back in his country than when he moved to the US considering labor protection laws were nowhere as strict or well enforced as they are in the US. Nothing about my cousin's work ethic or intelligence changes. The only thing that changed was him winning the visa lottery and being able to go to a country where he could use his drive and skillset to prosper. And even with that if he wants to go from the top 10% to the top 1% in the US that's also going to take a good amount of luck and knowing the right people.

[@danielcaceres9971]

The lack of opportunity makes all the difference… the more money you have the more opportunities you get

[@Melanie-lo7hd]

Jamie, I truly admire your courage and resilience. You don’t deserve the misfortunes that befell you. I really hope things turn around for you 🤞🏼Sending lots of love❤

[@Witchfoot.Incorporated]

We dont even want to be financially equal. We just want to be able to afford life.

[@yamuiemata]

The rich say "work hard and you will reach the top too" but what they actually mean is "work hard to increase the company's profits" The productivity increased 20x and profits don't trickle down to workers wage increase since the 2008 crisis , meanwhile the living standards have increased.

[@UCiWrMgES50tlUhV3l6NqjNA]

a capitalistic system can't enforce merit, because merit would imply that a company isn't ruled by one person who reaps the benefit, but that everyone has a democratic vote in the matters of that company...so that everyone can benefit and have merit properly valued, its just human nature and the ideas we can and can't come up with.

[@MJ-uk6lu]

While I agree that wages don't increase with productivity, your numbers are seriously off. Most statistics only claim that in US productivity grew only 2x-3x in century and massive wage-productivity decoupling only started in last 3 decades. Also that decoupling mostly applies to poorer people, meanwhile richer people have wage increases in same quantity as productivity increases. Also funny thing is that one of the highest inflation of prices has been in services sector.

[@yamuiemata]

@@MJ-uk6lu the same numbers apply on the European continent with some countries in the east being the exception. The services sector inflation is mainly due to lack of workforce due to low pay and high amount of hours worked.

[@MJ-uk6lu]

@@yamuiemata It depends, but I was only referring to USA. Europe has a bit different reasons.

[@Mumbo_Jumbo_Kiwi.1]

"You are not special because of your problems" - Sakhumzi. It's right up their with the wisest of words

[@crypto_que]

There are no shortage of out of touch wealthy people telling no us that poverty doesn’t exist. How did this woman run a way from domestic life unmarried and open a nightclub…IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!? There’s a huge gap there, no financial history? Credit? Was she staked by some drug dealer or pirate?

[@mooripo]

Precisely my thought when she said she ran away lol

[@trildi]

A little research into the South of Portugal in the 60s and 70s will provide your answer. There was literally zero investment needed to do it at that time.

[@oakiode1]

Poor is a state of mind, poverty is a living condition. Free and high quaity education is the key to eradicate poverty.

[@codegreenie3429]

I believe there are 2 things to become rich. 1. A loving home to grow up from 2. Wealth to start with (stepping stone)

[@gsst6389]

1. Knowledge 2. Networking 3. Sacrifice wether it be physical or morally.

[@codegreenie3429]

@@gsst6389 You see that networking you mentioned is a BIG deal. It took me years to realize it's importance

[@LeafarR1657]

​@@gsst6389that's the psychopath's path to it. Which seems to work, hence the number of psychopaths in the upper classes and leadership positions. With power and wealth to influence on a numberless of lives around the world.

[@gardencity3558]

I had neither so I'd have to disagree.

[@aidanaldrich7795]

The poorest person owns wealth that is easily transferable in a capitalist marketplace. They do great under capitalism. The poorest in capitalist nations live better than the wealthy in socialist countries

[@rushithafonseka]

There is no rich without the poor!

[@AJ.L2468]

“Some people, through luck and skill, end up with a lot of assets.” -Bill Gates

[@orangeninja912]

Spot on

[@Kelogotti]

Cus 10% of humans are smart 90% are dumb

[@migattenogokui1306]

Is more or less like Lavoisier law: nothing is gain nor lost, it's only transformed. Same for money.

[@Shini1984]

​@@AJ.L2468also some people are born into a family of who, lawyer and senator? Who then do what, get you a multimillion dollar contract just because their mother is a friend of a person at a large company who makes decisions? Ahem*IBM*ahem. More luck than skill because skill can be obtained but luck cannot.

[@suphakdsenawannasaenkhat3837]

Even the top philosophers who studied the chances of one’s success condluded that, 40% are from individual’s talent while 60% are from systematic factors (outside factors). Thus, this means no matter how hard you try, you will always have the challenge of 60% based on things you cannot control in life

[@robertgworek2497]

Ok, but in those 60% you have some negative but also positive factors and not all negative factors are determining. So it doesn't mean that you have 40% chance of being successful based only on the personal abilities.

[@suphakdsenawannasaenkhat3837]

@@robertgworek2497 that’s true, this is just the general calculation made since each factor weight/values more or less. For example coming from a wealthy family is worth so much more than a degree.

[@DavidLockett-x4b]

A positive mental attitude, rather that a poverty attitude helps, as does being in the right place at the right time, and a helping of good luck.

[@suphakdsenawannasaenkhat3837]

@@DavidLockett-x4b For sure 100% !!!

[@stevenchow408]

​@@DavidLockett-x4bwhat u saying karma

[@momomomo-lt5fs]

I really like the cafe the dude volunteers to. What a wholesome place.

[@rushithafonseka]

The swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.”-Ecclesiastes 9:11.

[@Kelogotti]

Very good explanation. Getting rich isn’t just meant for some people. We all have different paths for this world

[@andrewthomas695]

​​@@KelogottiI think the point is that success (or otherwise) is due to many factors outside our control and those who are successful need to be mindful of the role of luck in their fate, and the possibility this might change. It's fundamentally about the importance of humility.

[@marcosvidal4940]

@@andrewthomas695 success is not a number in a bank account. That's so, so upside down

[@andrewthomas695]

@@marcosvidal4940 That's a very cryptic response. You might want to elaborate.

[@UpTatedUptate]

That rich lady reminded me of something another rich lady said when she heard people were fighting for bread. She said, "Why don't they just eat cakes ?

[@NMiller80666]

£238 pw for not even a proper room, is highway robbery by fleecing landlords.

[@andrewreynolds912]

THANk u! Omg at least someone who knows that la'ndlords r'ip tf off people

[@ChristianPareATLAS]

New York, Los Angeles or Vancouver it is even more expensive

[@belogical8910]

Because money makes money ..... its as simple as that !

[@michaelgodden7187]

Sakhumzi for president, South Africa needs more people like him. Everything he said was spot on including the dire warning at the end.

[@Mr.unkoun]

The warning at the end yes but the rest he just talked nonsense we know the reality of most black people in south africa .... He is one of the few people who managed to make it and he has some deep political ties let's not get fooled

[@mashobane6177]

He is a business man . That is where his strength is. Not a politician.

[@mashobane6177]

​@@Mr.unkoun there are many that are successful in SA like him , without any political ties.

[@margaridavelhinho1618]

He speaks like a rich now. He does not care about others thar were poor like him before.

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

@@mashobane6177 i dont think that you can run a big bussiness with out protection and connections.

[@simoni6770]

When you speak from a platform of privilege, you think everyone has "all the opportunity or chance". In real life, this is never true! There are some people who, by where they are, they are nearly guaranteed to succeed and the opposite too. The mentality by the successful that their success is always a result of merit is the very same driver of poverty in poor people, since by that logic, it means the poor are so by merit too. This isn't always the case as often we see the poor are already systematically disadvantaged in many ways, and the rich privileged in others. This is not "merit" if the playground is not level, to begin with.

[@Kelogotti]

That’s a fucking lie. Rich people become broke & some broke become rich. Better dump that democrat mentality

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

The playground is not level, that is true. But some people, just get even more determent to win, to over come all hardship and rejections. Its like some Africans say ? or yes we are poor, its because of we where colonies and explotated???. But how long is that true ? Forever ? Many has been free for colonialism for 60 to 80 years ?. so maybe its time to stop complain and improve, remove all corrupt leaders that just pocket all the contries wealth . S Korea was also a Colony (japan), it was seperated into 2 countries, they had a Big war 1950-1953, But still they overcome it, and become very rich and industrialised. ???

[@TrxmpBrownNosersBgone]

@simoni6770 Yeah that statement was disgusting. Silver spoon finance addicted junkies speak this way in the US. I bet she wouldn't last a day working a low wage job. The hectic grind people face is lost on her.

[@UCiWrMgES50tlUhV3l6NqjNA]

a capitalistic system can't enforce merit, because merit would imply that a company isn't ruled by one person who reaps the benefit, but that everyone has a democratic vote in the matters of that company...so that everyone can benefit and have merit properly valued, its just human nature and the ideas we can and can't come up with.

[@TrxmpBrownNosersBgone]

@@UCiWrMgES50tlUhV3l6NqjNA It's a crippling problem that our representatives don't have these exact discussions openly. We're just supposed to believe they understand because they're in office and we're not, which as far as they're concerned makes their opinions more important. As we're learning, they're opinions promote greed a d disparity alike. In no way do Republicans, MAGA, or Democrats care about achieving an actual balance of income among our hundreds of millions of citizens. They proliferate the diseased mentality of _work> buy> comsume> die_ and nothing will dislodge them from this mentality. No one is in pursuit of "merit" unless merit translates into money and power. The access to power is the main object of the wealthy. The middle class pursue access to a better lifestyle, and the poor fight, beg, plead, and often die in pursuit of basic needs. No one is poor by choice.

[@metalextras]

Born into wealth or poverty is beyond your control but live happily is...

[@jamesbyrne9312]

That American at the pay what you feel cafe seems such a great person. Hats off to him

[@andani_uwu]

Having non autogenerated english subtitles would be an great help to people that search improve their english with these documentaries, people like me 🥺🥺

[@asi-oquabassey1999]

The South African CEO is far more in touch with reality that the elderly lady that stays in Belgravia. If they were each to write their memoirs, I know which one I'll read and which i would not touch with a long pole.

[@nomxhosapekani7966]

South Africa is a work in progress, but I'm happy I left Europe and invested at home, I couldn't be happier anywhere.

[@OGCHuila]

Wonderful choice, then spread the word back in South Africa, how the international banks played the ANC and now the DA. 'Bold white professor reveals the west is D00m and Africa will rule the w0rld' - Historical Africa.

[@Kelogotti]

I’m moving to SA also.

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

@@Kelogotti you dont have to leave USA, just find a Red state near by. there you find same poverty as in SA

[@nomxhosapekani7966]

@@OGCHuila My move to Europe was never political. I was just a young, experienced professional in my field who wanted to spread my wings beyond the borders to learn new things, see what experience I could bring back home, and what skills I could share with Europeans. the plan was always, to go back home to give back to my community and hopefully, my nation if resources are adequate.

[@OGCHuila]

@@nomxhosapekani7966 A wonderful service to others choice. May you be more than successful in you endeavours.

[@andrewmartin8978]

I hate that government tax-money is going to private landlords - there needs to be more government-owned social housing!

[@marcosvidal4940]

Housing should be guaranteed by the gov't, like healthcare. Money should be for everything else, not to decide who goes homeless and who doesn't

[@gardencity3558]

Agreed but why should taxpayers house anyone mentally and physically capable of work? Most people living in welfare housing are too lazy to work.

[@PotBanginEejit]

⁠@@gardencity3558”Most people living in welfare housing are too lazy to work” Is that a statistic or did you just make it up?

[@gardencity3558]

@@PotBanginEejit No you're right the majority are hard working upstanding citizens living in welfare housing! Are you one of them? LOL!

[@PotBanginEejit]

@@gardencity3558 You only have to look to other countries to see the nonsense of your premise. The real question here is why you’re so hostile towards the tenants. Do you watch Fox News a lot?

[@geralldus]

"You've got to make it happen, nobody will do it for you" unfortunately that requires a level of confidence and self belief that many people simply do not have. They often seem to see themselves as victims of a system that excludes them, so why should they bother!

[@eksbocks9438]

Because of price increases. And less opportunities. They're always asking for money. But they don't feel obligated to give back to the public. Let alone treat them with respect. Like a well-fed child who always asks for more food.

[@sohailshah2721]

Because the rich who are already rich and aspiring to be rich have devised new ways of exploiting the rest of us in collaboration with the politicians and unscrupulous opportunist people.

[@geoms6263]

because you are lazy

[@geoms6263]

The rich admire other rich, successful people. Poor people don't like rich and successful people. Rich people promote their work and themselves. The poor have a negative mindset about promotion and selling. There is no person with victim behavior who is truly rich. An unformed mind like yours, however, can create extreme poverty that lasts a lifetime and can be passed on to the family. Our spending habits reflect exactly who we are. Poor people have bad spending habits. Don't listen to poor or scared people. I have such friends, they are very dear to me, but they are the "cowardly chickens" of life. The problem is that people listen to them...

[@tctommie68]

​@@geoms6263the biggest neo liberal lie. Tell that for example to a teacher who works hard for little money....

[@scottandrews947]

@@geoms6263 Most people who are successful got there by a combination of genetics, luck, and inherited money. The ones who can't acknowledge this inherent truth lack self-awareness and perspective.

[@scottandrews947]

@@geoms6263 People become society's definition of successful through a combination of genetics, luck, and inherited wealth. There are plenty of successful people who would never acknowledge this usually because they are not being honest with themselves and lack perspective.

[@snappleback420]

Ok I don't agree with the statement about "every opportunity" because each person doesn't know the same people therefore don't have the same opportunities

[@Kelogotti]

Then you meet them. Bro there’s no excuses everything is possible. In America we all have the same opportunity but many end up poor. Especially democrats because they trick them into thinking everything should be done for them plus bad public schooling.

[@alivepenmods]

Yeah right. Try telling the Benin-born guy with one leg and an autist brother that he has the same opportunities as the spoiled child in Oxford.

[@senadmarovic3530]

Very few rich people start from scratch it's all handed down to them and they do anything to get richer and keep the poor down in line so they don't become competitive

[@as-1982]

What a weird thinking!

[@agapewyclef6381]

Actually surprisingly it's the opposite

[@maxnator]

@@agapewyclef6381 stop lying, most wealth is inherited

[@Kelogotti]

@@maxnatorman stop making excuses. If 1 person can make it from poverty so can you. You can’t tell me rn you’re making all the right choices to become rich. In America democratic laws promote your thinking “poor me I want the government to help”. Mf get out here and get it. If Nigerian can become rich so can you in America. Public schools destroy minds especially democrat cities

[@maxnator]

@@Kelogotti lmao, oh poor republican. You are lying to yourself, you were the sold the lie and eating it up. what are the right choices to get rich? being rich is mostly LUCK and right connections

[@bwazi24]

Love how the South African Man showed a bit of Humanity...Ubuntu...unlike the " Debutante" ..shel wake up to a revolution 😅

[@TrxmpBrownNosersBgone]

1:05 Here's the problem with that statement: capitalism necessitates poverty. Someone must always have significantly less than everyone. Of absolutely every person in the US did the exact same amount of work the disparity would still exist because if everyone has something it has no value in this system. Money is only valuable if it retains a level of scarcity. So literally _NO MATTER WHAT_ there will always be homeless desperate people. They make the rich richer because they're so poor.

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

Not true

[@TrxmpBrownNosersBgone]

@mabuhayproductionltd3627 I stand by this. The lower class is growing faster now more than ever thanks to decades of industrial exploitation and this cruel form of capitalism. We don't have a "free market." What we have is based on scarcity and exclusionary principles. You cannot have equality so long as money carries more value than human lives. We base our "wealth" only on what is extracted. If something is abundant it's cheap. If for example there was only one source of bread in all of the US the price on it would make it completely unattainable to the poor. Acquisitions, mergers, corporate industrial finance addictions run over every law we've ever made. It's absolutely true. 💯%

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

@@TrxmpBrownNosersBgone If you are from USA? Then its because you voteted on enemys of working class.

[@boirampai7404]

I’m in South Africa, raised by my grandmother during apartheid and the only formal education I got was in a township high school; I work in a bank and have studied further with the salary I earn here, @no point in my life I was made to believe I was poor and that I needed to be angry or feel self pity, but I was always told to study and work hard; my question now is what exactly does it mean to be poor in a country where education is free? Government grants are available for almost everything and opportunities remain available when you well informed about what you want to do? Are we poor or are we poor in the desire, the necessary hard work and the hunger for education? We should self examine and really provide an explanation on what poverty is

[@mondemdluli5701]

Well said. It is a mental state, if you are told that you are poor and you believe that, chances are you will remain poor. No one owes us anything especially us young black South Africans. It will never be easy but if we all put effort we can all better our situation

[@fiqhonomics]

A bank literally makes its money off loans. Interest is a future claim on someone's labour, a type of slavery.

[@GloryDaze73]

Imagine if you could write an entire Thesis on this! It would be fascinating to research the origins and persistence of poverty in our country. We have so much potential, but things just aren't coming together in the big picture. 😢

[@fiqhonomics]

@GloryDaze73 you win at capitalism when you figure out how to make money off other people's labour, notably via moneylending and landlording.

[@Eclipse1369]

I think it’s interesting that looks and confidence (for whatever cause) make all the difference

[@SabzKhumalo]

The rich obscenely rich who block government policies to help the poor have forgotten that we all live on the same planet and unless they have a spaceship they too will eventually suffer the consequences of truly desperate people.

[@JamesBarry-j7m]

Bing poor isn't a crime not helping them should be.

[@innocentgoitseone3715]

Such thinking should also be a crime

[@muindekay]

​@@innocentgoitseone3715😂😂😂

[@Kingbob217]

No body owes you help ask your parents to help you

[@geoms6263]

There is a difference between being poor and being a lefty. Being a lefty is a temporary situation, being poor is an eternal situation. So the poor man is happier? NO. Avoiding money is also a form of psychosis, ca and exaggerated attachment to them.

[@scottandrews947]

@Tari-777j That wasn't well said at all. It was gibberish lol

[@ey67]

Behind every great wealth is a great crime. Follow the money. Always. Balzac

[@asiphenyabelemosha9345]

I'm glad we're represented as South africans

[@krishnwwkharel7249]

I got someone on KZbin saying if you want to be a rich do not consume and produce only.If there will be no one to consume where the producer buy his goods to be oppulent.

[@kosarahadjipetrova8394]

..that lady is talking about entertainment... priceless

[@alexc8512]

It's true there are people there with no motivation, they can be rich or poor. But the head start and the opportunities that some people get are almost impossible for others. I understand it's a mindset to strive for something greater, but you cannot ignore the fact that for some it is difficult. Be grateful for what you were given, do your best to achieve what you want.

[@Buggu3]

This woman is delusional .. everyone doesn’t have the same opportunity.

[@tondematongo32]

Getting rich is two things : what u know and who you know....simple

[@HeyPhonsi]

Also "where you are". The luck of being in the right born, born in the right place.

[@tbose_]

Awesome documentary, Dw🇿🇦 ❤

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching!

[@twisctid]

I dont believe everyone has the opportunity to be successful, but i do believe a lot of people squander opportunities and also fail to create them. Luck will get you but so far

[@ec1222]

I think this is the correct summary of the whole issue.

[@mck5549]

No. South Africa's unemployment rate is not the highest in the world, it very far off from being the highest in Africa. SA has stats, whereas most countries don't. SA probably has amongst the highest percentage of employed people in Africa

[@sanelemwelase]

I always say that, South Africa publishes data, other countries don't. SA has a highest employment in Africa, hence migrants come to SA for job opportunities.

[@arsenal0095]

Meritocracy is a myth, and that's a fact. To check the source, take a moment to watch some documentaries. Also, check the work of Alain De Button, status anxiety & the myth of meritocracy.

[@tshepomogano789]

Capitalism is Socialism for the Wealthy or those who own assets. It's a simple statement but it's very deep. Only 1% will understand it. Hard work doesn't pay. Most wealthy people I know only really worked hard for the less than 10 years of their life's (as adults). For the most part, it was time, opportunity, and chance.

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

You need to be able to see what a Chance is (and not 10 years after its a sucess), and when you see a Great oppotunity ? You need the courage to act on it, to work hard to make it to the max. Most people dont see Oppotunity, and most people dont have the courage to be an business owner with the risk of gettting no pay, risk of loosing your house, risk to go broke and end up in debt.

[@Andreabay90]

in socialism you have zero chance of being above average because everybody is paid the same regardless of your job

[@lidiasantoro3098]

The main concern is surely the widening gap between rich and poor worldwide.

[@amorosogombe9650]

And it's global now. We increasingly have a global class system. The global rich and the global poor. We need universal basic income.

[@amorosogombe9650]

@@T1kr3b3u The counter intuitive thing is, poor people have many kids because they have factored high poverty related infant mortality into their reproduction strategies and lack of formal social security systems which means children surviving into adulthood, are their retirement plans. We just need sound governance especially in the global south but there too, ironically, the scarcity mindset bred by poverty makes corruption prevail over public good since the culture is a zero sum culture. It does sometimes take that generational curse breaker, your Lee Huang Kews, if you will, to come along and break societies out of their toxic cycles, that or cataclysmic revolutions, that push the metaphorical factory reset button and force societies down better, healthier, more prosperous paths.

[@mashobane6177]

​@@T1kr3b3u if poor people don't have kids , it means the human race will come to an end . Since rich people don't make a lot of children because they are busy chasing money and they are also the minority in the world. So the population will shrink massively and it may even end. Even those rich people won't have people to support their businesses.

[@Kelogotti]

@@amorosogombe9650bro there’s no excuses. I know Nigerians that became millionaires from the village. How are they richer than Americans with all opportunities?

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

@@Kelogotti They have an Oil Well or more.

[@antoniobabb4569]

UBI causes lazyness

[@aproy5256]

Good quality documentary.

[@erickapoletti2053]

Hard work does not equate being rich. The woman from London had the privilege of leaving home and starting her own business. She had money start and had the status to bring in the people to support her. It is not a level playing field. Not everyone can be rich but people need to be able to live comfortably and not in fear everyday.

[@kristintrisha2616]

This is such a nuanced discussion. I believe what a lot of low income households want is security and to have their basic needs met. It is a bit ignorant of Liz to say that everyone has the same opportunities, this is simply not true. Social circles and capital have a lot to do with success. There is no doubt she isn't a hard worker, however, she has also benefitted in a different era. Are we all going to be rich, no, probably not because it also begs the question of at what expense. The environment? That is already happening and we have seen the devastating effects of separating ourselves from Nature. These systems will collapse, it's already happening.

[@creestee08]

if south korea and singapore can do it, your country can be too. opportunities are everywhere, you just need to know when and where to grab it.

[@CABAJO9]

Its not work harder...never was...it is being born lucky...on a good country family friends...money make money....and it is a very small circle..that it is hard to get or even nobody know who they are...except the ones inside the rich circles....

[@martysmith5260]

It is actually quite simple: You gotta have money, to make money.

[@ebubechiibegbula5968]

Any society without tax payer funded health care and education in addition to other responsibilities of government , is a cruel society.

[@KronStaro]

The economic disparity exists not because people dont want to work but because modern economies are mainly based on profit instead of public service, they also produce a vast amount of unneeded products like overabundance of junk food or unnecessary products, in order to maintain that, menial jobs are needed and are filled by poorer people, who then in turn consume all the needed products. The more there are for-profit products and services, the more menial jobs there are and the people in those jobs become slaves for life. The more slaves you have the more profit you make. Great example of that are Scandinavian countries where most of the state structure is modeled around the people's needs, almost everyone there is happy with their lifestyles.

[@DM-xt3rl]

Wealth is a system……..Sure some people have money but being a part of the system is another story. The system of wealth is designed to keep as many “new entrants” out as possible. Laws and structures are put in place that actually help the working class maintain the “wealth” of the wealthy. The working class in “capitalist societies” have been brainwashed into believing that “welfare” for the poor and underprivileged is a huge problem when in actuality “welfare” for corporations and the wealthy is a far bigger problem.

[@coder_thoughts]

in reality you only become rich if you open a new company. But if you are increasing tax on a company. you are doing two things. One the company providing employment will run to different country where people are smart enough to keep tax less. Example ireland, it became rich because it did not have woke virus. Second you reduce your prospects of opening a new company because less tax is crucial for young companies..

[@breal7277]

Tell that to Republicans who believe helping the poor and middle class is a burden but had no qualms when trump gave his rich friends a tax cut they didn't need, not to mention the corporate subsidies (i. e. welfare).

[@gardencity3558]

@@breal7277 Yes DEM Oprah is your friend saying "don;t trust rich people." LOL!

[@breal7277]

@@gardencity3558 Oprah has given millions and millions over the years to various causes. She's not your typical rich person.

[@aidanaldrich7795]

No Welfare for corporations or people!

[@lores996]

TAX. THE. RICH.

[@runningman2989]

Good luck with that. All their money is off shore 😂

[@breal7277]

No. Stop buying the trash they produce. Take ownership of the land and go back to basics, becoming self-reliant.

[@aidanaldrich7795]

Taxation is Theft

[@benk7358]

expected a bit more of this docu

[@banerjeesiddharth05]

Mind blowing documentary 👌 🙌 👏

[@og_pixel_ninja]

As for the opening statement made by the lady, yes, the same opportunities may be out there for everyone, but it's the education about and ACCESS to those opportunities that is the real challenge.....prove me wrong. Money gains access........not simply them just 'being' accessable. Bank vaults openly exist too, but access to them is limited......SAME THING!

[@olzt100]

The same capitalism that creates the billionaire is the same capitalism that creates the homeless person. Both could be equally hard workers. Major differences come from manipulations of government which is the economic referee, understanding the economic system and upward mobility in the system and opportunities provided by the system. For an example, one might be seven feet tall and the best basketball in a country that has a major profitable basketball league. The player is well rewarded. However,, if the same player moves to a country with no professional basketball league, then the economic opportunities become less and less rewarding for the player. It's the same player, same work ethic, but different scenario and opportunities that effect the economic results of an individual.

[@breal7277]

Sad but true.

[@rebeltheharem7028]

Maybe some time ago, it was about hard work and you could have a decent life. Now? Its all about connections. No matter how good you are at something, it doesn't matter if you have no connections. Pulling yourself up from the "boot straps" stopped being a thing decades ago, and its been about who's on your phonebook since then.

[@libertarian4323]

Nonsense. Invest $3.33 per day in a low cost index fund, retire as a millionaire!

[@njabulombuyazi5132]

As a South African, the mental side of poverty has become deeply entrenched within our societies. I remember the President celebrating the number of people on grants ( I couldnt believe it), yet people still vote them in. If you are born in Yemen or the DRC, etc. then your outlook is bleak and damn near impossible to escape...but African countries like South Africa, Botswana, etc have a myriad of opportunities to uplift yourself. Extreme poverty usually occurs in totalitarian regimes and thats the sad part about South Africa. We are a fully functional democracy. People can easily vote out corrupt officials but they chose not too, then cry about corruption. The biggest example if the Province of the Eastern Cape - An ANC stronghold and the poorest province in the country.

[@millax-ev6yz]

I'm not a sociologist but it is so frustrating that we can't make a system where people don't have to suffer to just get by. Hard work is no guarantee to success, there are so many other factors. I have no idea what can fix capitalism, but right now it seems like we have capitalism without restraint. Just like a realistic minimum wage we need a maximum wage or something to stop the system from widening to extremes.

[@aroukapenn]

I noticed the South African mother and daughter did *not embrace or express joy,* upon seeing each other, more than likely because the daughter is not raised with her mother, and hence their bond is not close, or it could be cultural (or just familial) as well.

[@nutecunosc3863]

If you work , you don`t have time to make money !

[@nonhlanhlamahlangu3665]

Awesome documentary 😅😅

[@Onelove-Oneheart-h4c]

Generating wealth can be complicated. Being poor is simple. Entropy is a law of nature, we always facing obstacles. I rather listen to someone explaining wealth than poverty. I am tired of hearing about how i am a victim as a black South African 🇿🇦

[@cassandraknight8804]

Being poor is not simple

[@maxnator]

definitely not black

[@GloryDaze73]

Are you really Black? Do you really think being poor is simple....Have you no idea of history and how our country got here? We're suffering now, but it's not just because of Government curruption.

[@Onelove-Oneheart-h4c]

@cassandraknight8804 I hope you are not mistaking simple with easy.

[@Onelove-Oneheart-h4c]

@GloryDaze73 please explain to me how complicated being poor is ? You can simply do nothing and become poor. Anyone can do that, nothing complicated. Now, becoming productive or wealthy and maintaining it is complex. This is the reason we get training and education to break out of poverty, but there are no guarantees. That is what I call complex. It is easier to destroy than build.

[@satriaamiluhur622]

I've long learned that having good connections and colleagues can bring you very far in life, even more than college degree. Almost every succesful people i've met in my life have very good social skills and know how to talk with elites. If you can get on their good side, it's almost guaranteed that you can get proper jobs. Then again i live in 3rd world country where family relations and social connections are everything

[@chabridgettumusiime8994]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤socio investment, living in the right neighborhood, studying in the right schools 🏫, being connected economically connects you

[@snicker576]

Rich people are so cool and lovable

[@cassandraknight8804]

😂

[@munaali840]

This is a great documentary. DW, why do you not use the translation/dubbing option on your videos to get more international views? you have some channels in other languages but you do not need them you can have it all in one channel

[@TheMightyKingzuru]

The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and the middle class is getting wiped out.

[@princessglandy6776]

There was never a middle class

[@mabuhayproductionltd3627]

maybe they vote stupid ?

[@we8608]

Im starting to think the middle class was an elaborate illusion too lol. ​@princessglandy6776

[@sanethehappypill]

I knew you were going to show South Africa

[@punk4life138]

That woman at 1:05, wow! So out of touch with reality.

[@princessglandy6776]

A rich white woman I'm not even shocked.

[@beatbuildersstudio]

But it's her reality. Can we blame her for not being "educated" about the lives of others? It is what it is.

[@punk4life138]

@@beatbuildersstudio Well, she has access to a lot more opportunities than most to get “educated” as you say. It’s as easy as going to library and picking up a book by Chomsky, Zinn, Hedges, Hemingway, Sinclair, Steinbeck, Etc. You’ll quickly find out the way our world operates. Who wins and who loses and why.

[@CaraMarie13]

I am truly glad that older women managed to escape the future of housewife her faniy set out for her. Its not what she wanted for herself and am glad it worked. With that said, there is lot between "I went to Portugal and opened the first discotheque" and "Over 600 people came". She will never understand how the wealth and name she took to Portugal made it happen for her. The people she had accessed to were the absolute key to things working out for her. And i can imagine she must have worked hard regardless. Opening a business is a lot of work. But some hard work is rewarded more than others. And if you start your hard work with a pocket full of bills, the chances of success increase incredibly.

[@giladmiller4259]

Not Keisha Cole @ 11:00 😂😂😂😂

[@brianwings6908]

Five and a half years unemployed while there is a record low unemployment rate is wild.

[@ag2011_X]

Lovely people. I wish them all the best.

[@Website_Blogs]

The South African man is impressive and the British lady seems to have lived an interesting life chasing her dreams.

[@BrownyBird]

I was born in a communist country, and I can tell you know it's just illusion. Plus, i am pretty much fed up from the poor moaning about the rich. I bef you if they have the chance and the money they will change their mind.

[@a.brekkan4965]

National Living Wage in the UK is 1830 GBP per month for a 40 hour work week. This guy receives around 1300 GBP per month from the System for not working. How much does he think is fair? The same as NLW?

[@iamyoda66]

The problem in the US is that most people just above the poverty level believe that the people in poverty and not the rich are the problem…that is how they vote. So that is what they get.

[@Rashman-f7z]

Hard work is a myth.

[@faceofdead]

I worked in the UK (near Birmingham and Manchester) for 1 year.... Rented a 'cave' without heating and stove working for 500 pounds (without electricity) per month. Living on rent is half-life... Never again!

[@EugeneMoloto]

If jamie lived in south africa he wouldve gotten money from the Road accident fund, for his car accident, sometimes good policies can change lives

[@mathenthusiastss]

Please do a piece on India and the role the current ruling party has played in rising economic inequality.

[@D.2601]

I already saw so many vids the western media OBVIOUSLY rushed to India & other Asian countries first to cover such topics! They will visit every gully every person livin in some remote area & cover him if he has somthing bad to say about the country or current govt.!

[@chelseafisher6881]

It’s a problem across the world!

[@willy8067]

Its so sad that the poor guy want to work but got accident. Lucky he got loving supportive people around and food banks. Its something he should be grateful. Some other people could buy everything and still depressed. Life isn't always about getting rich as the 1% population

[@SK-lt1so]

Compounding interest

[@marcosvidal4940]

taxation has to be way, way more progressive than it is now. It's just absurd that some can accumulate billions

[@MyDarlin1]

the debutante woman has never worked a day in her life and has prospered from generational/familial wealth

[@zaharizahariev]

Hunger games was such a prophetic film. When the music stops they will take you to war always worked. The wild card here is the Chinese politburo ....could they usher the utopia humans dream of since the beginning of time?