In his recent NY Times piece, George Mason economics professor Tyler Cowen suggests the question of economic mobility is more important than income inequality.
It certainly calls for different mindsets and strategies, beginning with thinking about the place of learning in the equation. Many conversations about income inequality have to do with influencing the wealthy to somehow rationalize wealth distribution. While these need to continue, they don't address the empowerment of those who could otherwise gain economic mobility through expanded learning.
How could organizations create new opportunities for people to learn their way into kinds of work and roles that would give them greater economic mobility opportunities? We're talking here about new pathways of intra-organizational internships, virtual learning, cross-training and apprenticing. When designed well, every workplace could be a socially responsible host of empowering economic mobility.