I introduce the “equality–difference paradox.” This is the observation that ethnically homogenous countries like Ireland and Denmark tend to have low levels of income inequality, while countries such as the United States and South Africa, with high levels of ethnic diversity, tend to have higher levels of income inequality. I situate this paradox within the context of historical and contemporary demographic change. I explore possible explanations of the paradox in relation to Sierra Leone, South Africa, Denmark, the United States, China, and India. The paradox draws attention to two broader issues: first, the role of pluralism in complex, globalized, multicultural societies; and second, how ongoing efforts to address the paradox raise fundamental questions about how we organize future societies. I conclude this chapter by closing Part II of the book and orienting towards Part III, which explores three possible futures of economic inequality and capitalism.