The global economy is a complex and multifaceted system. When a variable changes, such as a dramatic rise in the New Zealand dollar; side effects can be harmful for some while increasing the wealth and standard of living of others. This essay will discuss the global economic system we have in place today and the resulting distributive injustices as a result of this structure. The beginning of the capitalist economy we have today can be traced back to the industrial revolution between 1750 and 1850 as the economy began to show signs of rapid growth, the world population grew up to 6 times and the average income increased tenfold (Maddison, 2003). This came about through the advancement of machinery and a proper economy as factories, mills and new technologies provided the British population with new products more quickly and cheaply. The Industrial Revolution was also the beginning of cities as we know them today, as well as the beginning of inequality, although this essay will discuss that later (Dodd & Miller). Currently listed by European Geostrategy (Rogers & Simón, 2011). of the 15 most powerful countries in the world, the United States of America is the world's only superpower while China is the only other country that is a potential superpower. It is no coincidence that these two states are considered the main economic centers of the world. Of course, these countries did not become economic leaders just by chance. The rise of globalization has seen countries like China rise to prominence, as global trade, sound policy decision-making and controlled growth rates have allowed them to quickly climb the ranks and now have a seat on the UN Permanent Council-5 , a sign of how economically powerful they have become. The... middle of the paper... b) The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (third ed.). Oxford University Press. Rogers, J., & Simón, L. (2011). The fifteen most powerful countries in the world in 2012 Retrieved on 02/05/2012 from http://europeangeostrategy.ideasoneurope.eu/2011/12/29/worlds-fifteen-most-powerful-countries-in-2012/Spagnoli, F . (2010, 02/05/2012). What is the best approach to distributive justice? Retrieved from http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/whats-the-best-approach-to-distributive-justice/International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights § 6.1 (1994).Williamson, J. ( 2002). What Washington Means by Political Reform Retrieved 02/05/2012 from http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/paper.cfm?researchid=486Woodward, D., & Simms, A. (2006). Growth is failing the poor: the unbalanced distribution of the benefits and costs of global economic growth.