In "The Great Degeneration," Niall Ferguson discusses the emergence of 'super zip codes' as indicators of a growing socio-economic divide. These regions represent an elite class that possesses significant wealth and influence, enabling them to maintain their privileged lifestyles. This concentration of affluence creates a situation where wealth can bypass the natural tendencies of human reproduction and social mobility, allowing even less capable descendants to benefit from their family's status without needing to earn it themselves. Ferguson argues that this phenomenon signals a troubling trend in modern societies, where the advantages of wealth are perpetuated across generations, establishing a new caste system. As this elite class solidifies its position, the impacts of socio-economic disparities become more pronounced, further entrenching divisions within society. The implications of these changes raise concerns about the health of institutions and economies, as societal decay may follow the concentration of power and wealth among a select few.

In "The Great Degeneration," Niall Ferguson discusses the emergence of 'super zip codes' as indicators of a growing socio-economic divide. These regions represent an elite class that possesses significant wealth and influence, enabling them to maintain their privileged lifestyles. This concentration of affluence creates a situation where wealth can bypass the natural tendencies of human reproduction and social mobility, allowing even less capable descendants to benefit from their family's status without needing to earn it themselves.

Ferguson argues that this phenomenon signals a troubling trend in modern societies, where the advantages of wealth are perpetuated across generations, establishing a new caste system. As this elite class solidifies its position, the impacts of socio-economic disparities become more pronounced, further entrenching divisions within society. The implications of these changes raise concerns about the health of institutions and economies, as societal decay may follow the concentration of power and wealth among a select few.