The ownership to assets is given and reinforced by the society. The only options are pretty much you and or the assets to leave the particular society/ societies.
Keeping that in mind; in democracies there really can't be huge inequalities for long time, at least if it isn't supported by the people. I won't get into the issue US not being democracy in the way it is perceived, but at least it lessens the like hood of your scenario.
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