the most successful societies - we could take sweden as an example - are the most equal. they need a successful (capitalist) economy but they also need a strong (socialist) state to ensure the health and well being of the citizens and to democratically represent their wishes. success these days means putting up a good fight against american free market global domination (chicago school style) letting the whole world economy become a market to be exploited by a tiny number of (mostly) american billionaires should be a mark of shame for elected politicians the world over.
naomi klein's 'the shock doctrine' is a complete and distressing (though very readable) account of the crimes of neo capitalism over the last 40 years. i've always been on the left but i was literally shocked every couple of pages by the crimes of these psychopaths!