At the top of the heap, in the U.S., the top one per cent of households own about half the stock and other assets that have increased in value, and the top 10 per cent own most of the rest. They are the ones enjoying the elimination of Bretton Woods. The next 10 per cent, the 80th to the 90th percentile has seen their net worth decline in the 1990s. In poor countries, the same has occurred, but worse. Growth isn't what capitalists seek.
Capitalists seek profits.
And throughout the post Bretton Woods period profits have soared, particularly in the 1990s. Indeed, the current jitters on Wall Street have nothing to do with the plight of the poor, which is simply not part of Wall Street's agenda, but only involve fears that there may be an end to their post-Bretton Woods stupendous growth in profits. In short, the 25 years post-Bretton Woods have been a disaster for humanity, but a joyous fairy tale for the rich. The reason for the fairy tale for the rich is frankly explained by the all-powerful Allan Greenspan. He fingers significant wage restraint and greater worker insecurity.