I don't remember where I read it, but it said the major difference between Russia and US was that in US there is a super-rich class whereas in Russia there was

I don't remember where I read it, but it said the major difference between Russia and US was that in US there is a super-rich class whereas in Russia there was a super-powerful class. The super powerful class was not subject to everyday rules for the plebs and was largely above the law. A few crossovers existed but the super powerful do not like the super rich as a matter of course. It seems China is going down the same path. Large amounts of wealth confers a power of its own and the makes the powerful anxious and they are looking to cut it down to size.