It could give Silicon Valley a chance to address the problems that threaten its long-term ability to remain the world capital of high-tech: an overburdened infrastructure, skyrocketing house prices and increasing social inequality.

ECONOMIST: A dip in the valley

This has led to rising inequality in incomes in many countries which may be increasing social tensions.

ECONOMIST: The great mismatch

All too often pundits and policymakers seek a single cause for social stratification when they should accept that in a nation where inequality in real monetary terms is increasing - and has been doing so for quite some time despite the so-called boom years - the reasons for being at the bottom of the heap are manifold.

BBC: A Point of View: Race, class and house parties