“The rich and powerful thrived...”
Pray that you never live somewhere they don’t thrive.
You need to practice reading in context.
In globalism, the working classes, who are supposed to benefit from the advances of the wealthy, are put into worldwide competition.
So, your next-door neighbor is in competition with a $2 per day Cambodian worker. Somebody’s wage and wealth have to decrease.
Meantime the wealthy entrepreneur gains a low-cost labor pool, so his wealth increases.
See what I’m saying, in context?