Which development is most consistent with the beliefs expressed in a certain excerpt regarding wealth?

The correct answer is consistent with the belief that wealth tends to concentrate among a small elite rather than being evenly distributed across society. This concept is often reflected in discussions about economic inequality, where certain individuals or families accumulate significant resources, leaving a disproportionate amount of wealth in their hands while the majority of the population has less economic power.

This reflects concerns that many thinkers and social reformers have raised about the consequences of capitalism, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where rapid industrial growth led to immense fortunes for a few, often at the expense of workers and smaller businesses. Thus, the consolidation of wealth by an elite aligns with a critical perspective on capitalism that posits that without intervention, wealth becomes increasingly concentrated.

Other developments, such as the expansion of middle-class entrepreneurship or a widespread distribution of wealth, suggest a more equitable economic landscape, which is not in keeping with the concerns typically associated with the concentration of wealth. Increased government regulation of corporations could point to efforts to address issues of inequality, but it does not directly reflect the belief in the natural tendency for wealth to consolidate among an elite group.