As Gods Among Men

In "The Rich and the Super-Rich," Guido Alfani explores the history of wealth accumulation and the societal roles of the affluent in Western civilization over the past thousand years. He examines the evolving perceptions of the wealthy, from medieval views of their sinfulness to their later recognition as beneficial to society, while noting a troubling trend in the twenty-first century where the super-rich are increasingly reluctant to contribute to the common good during crises. Integrating recent research on economic inequality, Alfani highlights the persistent fragility of wealth and public unease surrounding the wealthy throughout history.