There is a difference though, drug gang members often have limited alternatives for making a decent wage, whereas academics are more than qualified for a lot of

There is a difference though, drug gang members often have limited alternatives for making a decent wage, whereas academics are more than qualified for a lot of decent-paying jobs. I don't disagree that it's a dual economy however. Academia is supposed to be sort of a self-governing effort (note all the committees faculty members are a part of) and core members decide much of their own fate; it's no surprise that they make sure they get their lion's share first and the rest are distributed meagerly to the non-core members.