Final answer:
Tax policy changes and the Great Recession have been major factors in the rise and slight decline of wealth inequality in the U.S.
Explanation:
Tax policy changes have played a significant role in the increasing wealth inequality in the United States since the 1970s, with tax cuts benefiting the wealthy disproportionately.
The Great Recession of the late 2000s further exacerbated income and wealth disparities, leading to a slight decline in inequality in the early 2000s.
Despite some fluctuations, the overall trend shows a growing wealth gap between the affluent and the average American over the past few decades.
Learn more about wealth inequality in the United States here:
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