In "The Price of Inequality," Joseph E. Stiglitz highlights the negative effects of wealth division within society. He argues that as the gap between the rich and the poor widens, the affluent become increasingly hesitant to invest in public goods that benefit everyone, such as education, healthcare, and community services.

This reluctance is fueled by the wealthy's ability to provide for their own needs, making them less dependent on government services. Stiglitz warns that this separation can lead to societal fragmentation, where the rich isolate themselves from the issues faced by the less fortunate, ultimately harming the collective future.