For bucks’ sake: the rise of self-made billionaires

<p>Many people, including politicians, love to hate the super-rich, and assume they have gamed the system. Yet our correspondent reports that a growing share of today’s wealthiest earned their money providing goods and services we all want. A new crackdown on <a href="economist.com/asia/2026/07/16/a-real-but-selec…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">scam compounds</a> in Cambodia. And lessons from the ultimate political animal, Downing Street’s <a href="economist.com/britain/2026/07/16/lessons-from-…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Larry the Cat</a>. </p><p>Watch “<a href="economist.com/insider/the-insider/an-interview…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Insider</a>” interview with Elon Musk from 6pm BST, 1pm EST. </p><p>Listen to our podcast series “<a href="economist.com/audio/podcasts/scam-inc?utm_camp…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scam Inc</a>”. </p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Callum Williams, senior economics writer</li><li>Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent</li><li>Chris Impey, co-editor of “The Intelligence”</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>Billionaires, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Taylor Swift</li><li>Scams, scam compounds, Cambodia</li><li>Larry the Cat, Andy Burnham, Downing Street</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus"; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribe to <em>The Economist</em></a>.</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a>; for more information.</p>