Final answer:
Mark Blythe believes we are living in a new 'Gilded Age' due to growing economic inequality and concentration of wealth and power. He points to evidence such as the top 1% owning more wealth than the bottom 50% and the influence of wealthy individuals on politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mark Blythe thinks that because of the increasing economic disparity and the concentration of power and money in the hands of a few number of people, reminiscent of the late nineteenth century, we are living in a new "Gilded Age." He cites statistics showing that the wealthiest 1% of American earners hold more wealth than the bottom 50% and that the wealthy have a big say in politics and policy. According to Blythe, the current situation exacerbates social and economic inequality and is bad for democracy.