New research suggests that contrary to the conventional narrative, complex societies do not necessarily lead to more inequality. Which is to say, there is historical precedence for sustainable growth.

“The traditional thinking is that once you get larger societies with formal leaders, or once you have farming, inequality is going to go way up. But high degrees of inequality are not inevitable in large societies.”

https://archaeologymag.com/2025/04/study-reveals-inequality-was-never-inevitable/