Today on The Takeaway, on “Analyzing the Roots of Inequality,” John Hockenberry interviewed Per Molander, author of a new book, The Anatomy of Inequality: Its Social and Economic Origins- and Solutions.

They discussed: Why does inequality exist, and how can societies get closer to equality? Do some people just work harder, as conservatives maintain, or are liberals right when they say the government needs to step in to level the playing field?

Molander said all societies have a tendency to slip toward inequality. Even if you had equality at the outset, small differences would magnify over time and be reinforced.

So democracies in capitalist economies must rectify those advantages so that weaker parties can at least approach equality without punishing those who are more successful.  To do that, a variety of methods are available. If you do nothing, the differences will become dangerous if you want a workforce that can make the economy function.

To listen to the complete interview, click here.