Capitalism
What caused the sudden productivity explosion of the last 100 years that makes all gdp graphs looks like J curve? Was it the industrial revolution or the capitalism? Did capitalism ennoble industrial revolution? By capitalism, I mean the right to own and trade private property. Your land falls under it. So does your labour, manual or intellectual. Money is a convenient substitute for these resources.
Capitalism is simple and effective. Any other concept of economy, where the interests of the self are looked after by the kings or government, falls apart. Read any history book. But time and time, people fall under the sway of communism. Why?
All the equal opportunities in the world can not put equal outcomes together till the Greek Goddess of Luck smiles.