In a maximally efficient market, no one can make more money than the absolute minimum required to make participating worth their time, because otherwise someone else will come in and undercut them.
While that's true, it's also the case that the "absolute minimum" rises as people in a society get wealthier, and markets are the fastest method known for generating wealthy societies. The minimum amount for which most people are willing to work is absurdly high by the standards of all but our own very recent past.
While that's true, it's also the case that the "absolute minimum" rises as people in a society get wealthier, and markets are the fastest method known for generating wealthy societies. The minimum amount for which most people are willing to work is absurdly high by the standards of all but our own very recent past.