Popular wisdom would tell us that poverty is the breeding ground for many of society's ills. But British academics Wilkinson (emeritus, Univ. of Nottingham Medical Sch.) and Pickett (senior lecturer, Univ. of York) argue otherwise. They've woven together a great deal of international research to show that inequality, not poverty per se, is what contributes most to social problems. The authors not only compare data from a range of countries but also gather data from all 50 states to verify that relationships that exist on a national level also exist on a more local scale. The first element examined is trust as a measure of community life and social relations. Once it is established that people in unequal societies don't trust one another, the stage is set to examine a host of other dystopian problems from mental health to teenage births to social mobility. VERDICT In this fascinating sociological study, the authors do an excellent job of presenting the research, analyzing nuances, and offering policy suggestions for creating more equal and sustainable societies. For all readers, specialized or not, with an interest in understanding the dynamics today between economic and social conditions.—Carol J. Elsen, Univ. of Wisconsin-Whitewater Lib.
It is a well-established fact that in rich societies the poor
have shorter lives and suffer more from almost every social problem. The Spirit Level,
based on thirty years of research, takes this truth a step further. One
common factor links the healthiest and happiest societies: the degree
of equality among their members. Further, more unequal societies are bad for everyone within them-the rich and middle class as well as the poor.
The remarkable data assembled in The Spirit Level
exposes stark differences, not only among the nations of the first
world but even within America's fifty states. Almost every modern social
problem-poor health, violence, lack of community life, teen pregnancy,
mental illness-is more likely to occur in a less-equal society.
Renowned
researchers Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett lay bare the
contradictions between material success and social failure in the
developed world. But they do not merely tell us what's wrong. They offer
a way toward a new political outlook, shifting from self-interested
consumerism to a friendlier, more sustainable society.
1101957389
have shorter lives and suffer more from almost every social problem. The Spirit Level,
based on thirty years of research, takes this truth a step further. One
common factor links the healthiest and happiest societies: the degree
of equality among their members. Further, more unequal societies are bad for everyone within them-the rich and middle class as well as the poor.
The remarkable data assembled in The Spirit Level
exposes stark differences, not only among the nations of the first
world but even within America's fifty states. Almost every modern social
problem-poor health, violence, lack of community life, teen pregnancy,
mental illness-is more likely to occur in a less-equal society.
Renowned
researchers Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett lay bare the
contradictions between material success and social failure in the
developed world. But they do not merely tell us what's wrong. They offer
a way toward a new political outlook, shifting from self-interested
consumerism to a friendlier, more sustainable society.
The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger
It is a well-established fact that in rich societies the poor
have shorter lives and suffer more from almost every social problem. The Spirit Level,
based on thirty years of research, takes this truth a step further. One
common factor links the healthiest and happiest societies: the degree
of equality among their members. Further, more unequal societies are bad for everyone within them-the rich and middle class as well as the poor.
The remarkable data assembled in The Spirit Level
exposes stark differences, not only among the nations of the first
world but even within America's fifty states. Almost every modern social
problem-poor health, violence, lack of community life, teen pregnancy,
mental illness-is more likely to occur in a less-equal society.
Renowned
researchers Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett lay bare the
contradictions between material success and social failure in the
developed world. But they do not merely tell us what's wrong. They offer
a way toward a new political outlook, shifting from self-interested
consumerism to a friendlier, more sustainable society.
have shorter lives and suffer more from almost every social problem. The Spirit Level,
based on thirty years of research, takes this truth a step further. One
common factor links the healthiest and happiest societies: the degree
of equality among their members. Further, more unequal societies are bad for everyone within them-the rich and middle class as well as the poor.
The remarkable data assembled in The Spirit Level
exposes stark differences, not only among the nations of the first
world but even within America's fifty states. Almost every modern social
problem-poor health, violence, lack of community life, teen pregnancy,
mental illness-is more likely to occur in a less-equal society.
Renowned
researchers Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett lay bare the
contradictions between material success and social failure in the
developed world. But they do not merely tell us what's wrong. They offer
a way toward a new political outlook, shifting from self-interested
consumerism to a friendlier, more sustainable society.
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940170634873 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Tantor Audio |
| Publication date: | 11/21/2011 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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