In "The Price of Inequality," Joseph E. Stiglitz discusses the stark realities of wealth creation and distribution in society. He presents the idea that wealth can be accumulated in two main ways: through productive means, such as innovation and entrepreneurship, or through less ethical approaches, which involve appropriating resources from others. This highlights the contrasting paths that individuals and entities might take within an economic system marked by inequality.

Stiglitz argues that these differing methods of wealth accumulation have significant implications for society as a whole. The focus on taking wealth rather than creating it can lead to economic disparities that endanger the fabric of social cohesion and stability. By illuminating the consequences of these approaches, the author calls for a reconsideration of how wealth is generated and shared, urging the need for more equitable systems that foster collective prosperity.