The "cake problem", in the final analysis, is the relationship between efficiency and fairness. "First, we must make it bigger, and second, we must divide it well", which means that we must give priority to efficiency and better balance fairness. That is to say, from the perspective of building a harmonious society, we must handle the relationship between maximizing wealth growth and fair distribution. .

Efficiency and fairness are the unity of opposites. First, efficiency and fairness are consistent. On the one hand, efficiency is the material prerequisite for fairness, and fairness can only be achieved on the basis of economic development and increased social wealth; on the other hand, fairness is the guarantee for improving economic efficiency, and fair distribution can increase the enthusiasm and creativity of workers.