Yes they have ..... there were periods in human history where some individuals were so enormously wealthy and powerful that we referred to them as kings, queens, emperors, or living gods that had ultimate control over the life and death of everyone in their sphere of influence.

Today is no different, we just call them billionaires now.

Humanity outgrew the idea of all powerful monarchies and God kings .... we'll eventually outgrow the notion of any one individual owning so much wealth they don't need in one lifetime.

Unfortunately, we are just dumb animals that by then, we'll invent some other selfish method of concentrating power to a small group of people.

If we ever make it that far.

Population is higher than it’s ever been. The wider the base of the pyramid, the taller it gets.

now we must eat them

There's different ways to measure wealth over time. Percentage per person above a threshold. Total in top x%. Etc.

The first estate is looking a lot like the first estate again.

Also, on a related note, the second estate is behaving a lot like the second estate again.

It presents a chin-stroker regarding how the third estate might respond.