What does this quote mean

"an imbalance between the rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics"

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. it was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that i encountered friend. he accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. the man wore motley. had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. i wa to see him that i thought i should never have done wringing his hand. in the excerpt above, the use of the word madness is meant to o provide the reason for fortunato's ridiculous outfit. invoke a feeling of anger in the scene. screate a sarcastic tone in the narrator. describe the lawlessness of the carnival season. next question v ron urun