Abstract Wealth inequality around the world is high and rising. In this paper, we argue that wealth inequality in the United States has been exacerbated by an environment favourable to the ultra‐wealthy. Three distinctive changes in the economic and political landscape have fostered the increase in inequality. First, campaign finance law abruptly changed after the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. This decision gave the ultra‐wealthy an outsized influence on American politics. Second, an increase in competition for executive talent drove CEO salaries to new heights. Demand increased for executives with general leadership skills as corporations grew larger, increasing competition in the market for executive talent. Third, because tax policy in the United States is subject to lobbying influences, those at the top of the wealth distribution are favoured, leading to further concentration in wealth. Our empirical results are consistent with the view that these changes resulted in an increase in disparity, shifting wealth from the 99% to the 1%.

Lucy F. Ackert

Gabriel G. Ramirez

Financial Markets Institutions and Instruments

Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments bridges the gap between the academic and professional finance communities. With contributions from leading academics, as well as practitioners from organizations such as the SEC and the Federal Reserve, the journal is equally relevant to both groups. Each issue is devoted to a single topic, which is examined in depth, and a special fifth issue is published annually highlighting the most significant developments in money and banking, derivative securities, corporate finance, and fixed-income securities.

Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments aims to bridge the gap between the academic and professional finance communities. The journal features contributions from leading academics as well as practitioners from organizations such as the SEC and the Federal Reserve, making it relevant to both groups. Each issue focuses on a specific topic, examined in depth, and an annual special fifth issue highlights significant developments in money and banking, derivative securities, corporate finance, and fixed-income securities.

《金融市场、机构与工具》旨在弥合学术界与专业金融界之间的差距。该期刊汇集了来自顶尖学者和来自美国证券交易委员会（SEC）及联邦储备系统等机构的从业者的贡献，因而对这两个群体都具有重要意义。每期专注于一个特定主题，进行深入探讨，并且每年出版一份特别的第五期，重点介绍货币与银行、衍生证券、公司金融和固定收益证券等领域的重大进展。

The political and economic environment promoting growth in American wealth inequality

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