Visible change. According to Shaheen, the first type of action is "policies that elicit very clear, visible material change" for the majority of citizens, such as welfare programs, affordable or free health care, and, perhaps most critically, "good job creation." When people see that the government produces material benefits, that creates a positive feedback loop, she added.

Building solidarity. Studies have long shown that racial and political unrest rises in areas with growing income inequality. Shaheen’s research argues that the opposite is equally true: Inequality shrinks in nations with "active efforts to build solidarity between groups and to address historic prejudices." Those efforts can take many different forms, from politicians rejecting divisive and inflammatory language to forcing change by seriously reforming the police and criminal justice systems.

Securing credibility. Lastly, governments in areas with reduced inequality rebuilt their credibility with the public by "tackling corruption," Shaheen said. In unequal societies, people believe that wealthy elites have access to leaders and legal privileges that most citizens don't. Citizens in more equal economies, meanwhile, believe that the government treats everyone the same, and that belief is backed up through transparency mandates in the government and the financial industry and through a strong free press.