Capitalism. The word you are looking for is capitalism. Which leads into a discussion that isn't really suitable for this board, but that's what this is. Market driven capitalism.
If it really troubles you, it's not the soldiers who fought in World Wars you should be thinking about, but a system that directs wealth in ways that aren't always so palatable to the many of us working to stay above the line. Lose your job? Sink. Get sick? Sink. Can't keep up with the cost of living? Sink.