> The returns on wealth after it is inherited isn't going to be higher then the returns that same wealth would have gotten prior to it being inherited. Its still the same amount of money.
You're right. But the point of the article, and Piketty, is that inheritance policies -- by not taxing (through large loopholes) -- allow the inequality to continue to grow (by virtue of those returns continuing to outperform growth). Estate tax is the opportunity to counter that trend, but we (well, governments at the behest of the wealthy) choose not to.
But you're right in that the title could be more accurately worded; if the wealthy didn't die and continued to hold their assets, inequality would also continue to increase.
You're right. But the point of the article, and Piketty, is that inheritance policies -- by not taxing (through large loopholes) -- allow the inequality to continue to grow (by virtue of those returns continuing to outperform growth). Estate tax is the opportunity to counter that trend, but we (well, governments at the behest of the wealthy) choose not to.
But you're right in that the title could be more accurately worded; if the wealthy didn't die and continued to hold their assets, inequality would also continue to increase.