Call number
3
Genres
Publication
Penguin (2010), Edition: New Edition, 400 pages
Description
This eye-opening UK bestseller shows how one single factor--the gap between its richest and poorest members--can determine the health and well-being of a society. The authors also outline a new political outlook in which a shift from self-interested consumerism to a friendlier, more sustainable society is paramount.
Media reviews
This cultural context goes some way to explaining the stir caused by “The Spirit Level” since its publication last year. The book’s authors, Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, seek to show that “more equal societies almost always do better”. ... The debate is proving useful by exposing
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flaws in thinking on both the left and the right, and among voters generally. Show Less
The argument of this fascinating and deeply provoking book is easy to summarise: among rich countries, the more unequal ones do worse according to almost every quality of life indicator you can imagine. They do worse even if they are richer overall ... The evidence that Wilkinson and Pickett supply
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to make their case is overwhelming. Show Less
This is a book with a big idea, big enough to change political thinking, and bigger than its authors at first intended. ... They say modestly that since dependable statistics both on health and on income distribution are internationally available, it was only a matter of time before someone put the
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two together. All the same, they are the first to have done so. ... With the evidence they have supplied, politicians now have a chance to “do genuine good”. Show Less
Anyone who believes that society is the result of what we do, rather than who we are, should read these books; they should start with The Spirit Level because of its inarguable battery of evidence, and because its conclusion is simple: we do better when we're equal.
User reviews
LibraryThing member jcbrunner
The Spirit Level is one of the few books, similar for example to Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel, that will blow your mind. Its simple message that a more equal society is a better society, even for the rich, strikes deep. Reading some of the reviews here and at Amazon, this simple truth
Some conservatives have tried to undermine the message by mixing in non-OECD (i.e. non-rich) countries into their sample. Which is completely beside the point. Naturally, life in the United States of America is better than in most African nations or in Russia. But isn't it a rather weak claim to say that the US is better than a Second or Third World nation. Among First World nations, the (peer reviewed) statistics presented by the authors conclusively show that more equal societies score better in whatever goal one targets (health, crime, social mobility, innovation, etc.). It used to be different: The American founding fathers were deeply shocked seeing the unequal societies in Europe. The US used to be a beacon of equality and liberty (this cherished image instead of reality still lingers in many a conservative mind).
The authors could also have used the economic concept of marginal utility. A family with food insecurity will have much greater benefit from an extra one thousand dollars than a hedge fund billionaire. While the book is tight in making its case that more equality is better, it fails to develop a case how to revert the damaging policies of the Reagan revolution. Barack Obama's craven surrender in prolonging the wasteful, unpaid for Bush cronies tax relief shows how difficult it is to get this simple message across in some are more equal NewSpeak United States of America.
Highly recommended.
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hurts some too much. So if you are one of the USA! USA! USA! crowd or if you think obesity, diabetes or poverty are beautiful, then this book is not for you. Reality has a liberal bias.Some conservatives have tried to undermine the message by mixing in non-OECD (i.e. non-rich) countries into their sample. Which is completely beside the point. Naturally, life in the United States of America is better than in most African nations or in Russia. But isn't it a rather weak claim to say that the US is better than a Second or Third World nation. Among First World nations, the (peer reviewed) statistics presented by the authors conclusively show that more equal societies score better in whatever goal one targets (health, crime, social mobility, innovation, etc.). It used to be different: The American founding fathers were deeply shocked seeing the unequal societies in Europe. The US used to be a beacon of equality and liberty (this cherished image instead of reality still lingers in many a conservative mind).
The authors could also have used the economic concept of marginal utility. A family with food insecurity will have much greater benefit from an extra one thousand dollars than a hedge fund billionaire. While the book is tight in making its case that more equality is better, it fails to develop a case how to revert the damaging policies of the Reagan revolution. Barack Obama's craven surrender in prolonging the wasteful, unpaid for Bush cronies tax relief shows how difficult it is to get this simple message across in some are more equal NewSpeak United States of America.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member 8bitmore
The Spirit Level comes highly recommended from yours truly. The book draws up the efforts of decade long research that has gone into collecting evidence which shows that: equality is -the one- axis in society upon which all other major ones rest. To say it the blunt way; no matter how well of the
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rich are off in an unequal society (USA) their birth death rates are still miles above the poorest segment of the population in a more equal society (Sweden) (!). Equality is that which upon everything from mentioned birth-death-rates to crime and health is hinged. Anyone wishing to go into political office in one form or another (say we all do a bit when we go to voting booth..) should read this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen
I have heard people raving about this book for some time. I did not bother to read it because I felt that I already knew that equality was better than the alternative and that reading another moralising book wasn't going to be of much value.
I WAS WRONG on just about every account. This is the best
The first thing that one notices is that it doesn't talk about what it would be nice, were we to do. The whole perspective of this book is about what is best for each of us; be we unemployed and homeless or multimillionaire heads of industry; and that is the key. This book clearly demonstrates that greater equality is to all our advantage.
The second thing to note about this book, is that it is not based upon opinion. It is packed with graphs produced from the official statistics of as many countries as are willing to release their records to the public. Now, I know the old saying, about "lies, d**n lies and statistics" but, in this instance, the data were not collected by the authors, and comparisons are like for like: i.e. if the argument is advanced that more people are imprisoned in countries with greater variation between highest and lowest paid personnel, ALL countries figures are included, not a selection that are convenient.
The book does come to some conclusions, not so to do, would surely have been a cop out, but these have been carefully balanced so that it is not an endorsement of either traditional left or right wing politics. We are not presented with "the World must do this or that"; suggestions as to different routes that might lead to a better place are included. Of course, reading this, or any other book does not give one all the solutions, but what it does do, is change one's perspective on the problem and show the futility of the us and them approach so commonly in use today.
I WAS WRONG on just about every account. This is the best
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book that I have read in a long time. It is far from being a glib peon to 'being nice' and, I strongly recommend that any of you who have not read it yet, so do.The first thing that one notices is that it doesn't talk about what it would be nice, were we to do. The whole perspective of this book is about what is best for each of us; be we unemployed and homeless or multimillionaire heads of industry; and that is the key. This book clearly demonstrates that greater equality is to all our advantage.
The second thing to note about this book, is that it is not based upon opinion. It is packed with graphs produced from the official statistics of as many countries as are willing to release their records to the public. Now, I know the old saying, about "lies, d**n lies and statistics" but, in this instance, the data were not collected by the authors, and comparisons are like for like: i.e. if the argument is advanced that more people are imprisoned in countries with greater variation between highest and lowest paid personnel, ALL countries figures are included, not a selection that are convenient.
The book does come to some conclusions, not so to do, would surely have been a cop out, but these have been carefully balanced so that it is not an endorsement of either traditional left or right wing politics. We are not presented with "the World must do this or that"; suggestions as to different routes that might lead to a better place are included. Of course, reading this, or any other book does not give one all the solutions, but what it does do, is change one's perspective on the problem and show the futility of the us and them approach so commonly in use today.
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LibraryThing member pioneercynthia
Sometimes you read a book and think, "Yeah, yeah, yeah," on every page. "The Spirit Level" is that kind of book. Not only is the book well-written, it's incredibly well-documented. People will always argue over opinions, but they can seldom argue over such authoritative research. This is a great
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book that should be read by every person in our government (though it probably won't be). Show Less
LibraryThing member tonysomerset
This is a must read book for everyone hence the rating. I would like to unreservedly recommend it but I cannot. It is a hard read, I kept having to put the book down because my head was hurting too much from all the blows. To say it is evangelical would be an understatement. The authors have their
Right, got the message but the book bangs on and on, showing more and more statistics that prove incontrovertibly their message. This is where I begin to lose it. When evangelicals thump I tend to get wary and start to look for alternative scenarios. I am not in a position to query let alone challenge their presentation of statistics, it all looks so overwhelming convincing. I not able to nitpick about data spreads, median lines, angles or scale but have to leave that to those that understand. When data is so overwhelming then there just has to be an alternative view. None is offered. There has to be a counter approach, there has to be historical evidence that gainsays their gospel, there has to be recent changes that run counter to their all encompassing answer, inequality. It is human nature to screw up and overlook the alternate view point.
Nethertheless the message is highly important with significant implications for our society, where it is and what has to happen. We should all get our minds around the issues raised. It was with some relief when three quarters of the way through the book suddenly changed tack and began to widen its view and looked in a more expansive way as to how their findings work and are relevant. Great, I could begin to enjoy the read again. Unfortunately they found a new soap box, climate change and began again to thump away. Well meaning, earnest, very serious in intent and purpose. Maybe just not gifted writers for the masses. Yet clearly that was their intended audience with a book having scholarly origins but dumbed down for an all to read. Pity and equally well-done. At least they have made digestible the indigestible and in doing so given access to highly significant findings. Inequality damages us all, poor and the rich alike.
In their new edition postscript they do try to respond to all the criticisms aimed at their studies. But for me it is too much of the converted cherry picking what they choose to respond to, what to ignore and appeals to overwhelming numbers supporting the cause. Despite all of what I have said, I urge you, do please read this book. Put it down and then reflect. You may well find it to says deeply significant things about our society and the problems you feel but cannot isolate and expound. It did for me.
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soap box and they are single minded in ensuring the message does not escape anyone. But what an important message, the greater the income inequality the more symptoms of a sick social malaise there are. You name it, violence, mistrust, totalitarianism, obesity, suicide, prison population, under performing children and more much more are all shown to increase the more unequal a society becomes. Contrary to common presumptions, egalitarianism is not a cranky far left fantasy but a very central core community spirit we all aspire to.Right, got the message but the book bangs on and on, showing more and more statistics that prove incontrovertibly their message. This is where I begin to lose it. When evangelicals thump I tend to get wary and start to look for alternative scenarios. I am not in a position to query let alone challenge their presentation of statistics, it all looks so overwhelming convincing. I not able to nitpick about data spreads, median lines, angles or scale but have to leave that to those that understand. When data is so overwhelming then there just has to be an alternative view. None is offered. There has to be a counter approach, there has to be historical evidence that gainsays their gospel, there has to be recent changes that run counter to their all encompassing answer, inequality. It is human nature to screw up and overlook the alternate view point.
Nethertheless the message is highly important with significant implications for our society, where it is and what has to happen. We should all get our minds around the issues raised. It was with some relief when three quarters of the way through the book suddenly changed tack and began to widen its view and looked in a more expansive way as to how their findings work and are relevant. Great, I could begin to enjoy the read again. Unfortunately they found a new soap box, climate change and began again to thump away. Well meaning, earnest, very serious in intent and purpose. Maybe just not gifted writers for the masses. Yet clearly that was their intended audience with a book having scholarly origins but dumbed down for an all to read. Pity and equally well-done. At least they have made digestible the indigestible and in doing so given access to highly significant findings. Inequality damages us all, poor and the rich alike.
In their new edition postscript they do try to respond to all the criticisms aimed at their studies. But for me it is too much of the converted cherry picking what they choose to respond to, what to ignore and appeals to overwhelming numbers supporting the cause. Despite all of what I have said, I urge you, do please read this book. Put it down and then reflect. You may well find it to says deeply significant things about our society and the problems you feel but cannot isolate and expound. It did for me.
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LibraryThing member Michaelhlamb
Really enjoyed this book and I'd reccomend it to everyone. The book is very accessible and is a very enjoyable introduction to sociology. This is the kind of book that does what a good read should; it has the capacity to change the way you think. This comes both as a result of its simple
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methodology and the massive implications of its findings. Although there have been many criticisms of the text, this is just testimony to how important the ideas are. In reality even the criticisms are worth reading. This book is great because its a real talking point. Show Less
LibraryThing member weebaby
It's been a few months and I am still reading this book. It is not a light read so it takes me some effort to get through a chapter. That being said, it is also a fascinating read so far. It has made me reconsider some of my own preconceived notions that I was not aware I had/have.
LibraryThing member petrolpetal
I loved reading this book because it confirmed for me much of what I had suspected, and suggested that my views were supported by the data. In reading the reviews here though, I fear I may have been too uncritical, and I intend to reread the book with a mind on the comments below.
LibraryThing member cbradley
This was an excellent book with wide ranging implications. In a society where we are told to succeed at all costs, The Spirit Level suggests we should achieve equality at all costs. Unhappiness does not come from wealth or poverty, but from the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Narrowing that
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gap, the book suggests, will bring about greater happiness. I was impressed with the cross-cultural context of the book, showing that problems in one area of the world are not unique and suggesting that we can actually learn something from another culture. Perhaps instead of wealth we should all be struggling for happiness, something that even the wealthiest society cannot achieve if there is not equality. Show Less
LibraryThing member splinfo
I appreciated this title. Authors are English which gave it a little different angle for me as a person usually reading about U.S. issues. Although the outlining of the problems chapter by chapter in the first half of the books is very discouraging, the idea that the variable of economic disparity
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is key in all allows me hope. A concentration on justice issues *could* be do-able and is happening around the globe. Nice that the authors explained in some details that we DO have some cultures who *are* succeeding; the goals are provably attainable. No easy road ahead to steer the US to the good however. Show Less
LibraryThing member otterlake
This book looks at a number of social ills and tries to correlate them with income inequity. I struggled to see in the data what the authors did and failed. But I have also found that data is subject to interpretation. You see what you want and expect to see...but I thought my bias was with
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authors. Yet, I was disputing the conclusions almost from the moment I began to read. Maybe my discomfort was that dot on each multinational graph showing the US behind every other nation in inequity and in the depth of our ills. Maybe it was that these conclusions can not be drawn from these graphs. And maybe it was discomfort with the implications for our society if the authors' conclusions are true. Likely all of the above. Show Less
LibraryThing member brewergirl
I received this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
The book is broken into different chapters, each showing how a particular social issue is impacted by the level of equality in society. It compares different countries as well as different US states. The premise is that
Overall, it was a worthwhile read and raised some very interesting points, but it took me a while to finish it.
The book is broken into different chapters, each showing how a particular social issue is impacted by the level of equality in society. It compares different countries as well as different US states. The premise is that
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countries (or states) with higher levels of equality are better off than those with lower levels. I can't speak to how valid the research methods are or whether data was accurate, as other reviewers have. I did find myself skimming over much of the data and details and just glancing at the graphs ... especially as I got further into the book. In that regard it seemed very repetitive ... different topic, same analysis, same result ... the same countries (or states) ranking poorly each time. Overall, it was a worthwhile read and raised some very interesting points, but it took me a while to finish it.
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LibraryThing member vpfluke
This is a book which hopes, by the laying out of a lot of data, particularly in thr form of charts, to pesuade its readers that equality should be a prime goal for every society. The United States and to a considerably lesser degree, other English-speaking countries, tend to show up as being less
I particularly resonated with the chaper on Imprisonment and Punishment. The U.S. spends enormous resources on incarceration with little effective results.
Another issue not well dealt with is that of how immigrants fare in the U.S. I can see where the U.S. has a greater sense of fraternity with immigrants than most other countries have (the possible exception is illegal Mexican immigrants).
Another issue to look at is how well do incentives work when the playing field becomes very level. This book really does not deal with ideals like inspiration and inventiveness, which are highly valued in the U.S.
The book is well researched, and I love all the charts, even when there sometimes seems to be an arcane selectivess to some of them.
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equal than other Western societies and Japan. So, one can almost see a bias here, even if the the bias is a reflection of truth. In the United States, the ideal of liberty very much trumps the ideal of equality. Much health care debate in the U.S. revolves around issues of being able to choose ones own doctors, the protection of previous health plans, the presumption that the federal government canot be competent, etc. The fairness or widespread coverage of plans is less discussed. "The Spirit Level" does not really address this political cultural divide very well, although I agree with the technical analysis as presented in the book.I particularly resonated with the chaper on Imprisonment and Punishment. The U.S. spends enormous resources on incarceration with little effective results.
Another issue not well dealt with is that of how immigrants fare in the U.S. I can see where the U.S. has a greater sense of fraternity with immigrants than most other countries have (the possible exception is illegal Mexican immigrants).
Another issue to look at is how well do incentives work when the playing field becomes very level. This book really does not deal with ideals like inspiration and inventiveness, which are highly valued in the U.S.
The book is well researched, and I love all the charts, even when there sometimes seems to be an arcane selectivess to some of them.
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LibraryThing member tcoulter
Using cross-country comparisons and a wealth of data, Wilkinson and Pickett make a strong argument for how and why a more equal distribution of wealth create a happier and healthier society. This book is important not only because it makes the case that quality of life is improved for those in
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disadvantaged positions when a society is more equal (a pretty simple argument to support) but because it also argues that quality of life (read: happiness and satisfaction, at least) for those in positions of economic power in more equal societies is greater than in highly unequal societies. My only gripes about this book are its rather constant reference to charts and graphs embedded in the text, and its reliance on explaining the data instead of discussing the concepts. Show Less
LibraryThing member Librtea
In The Spirit Level, authors Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett claim that economic inequality among members of a society leads to many problems including poorer health and shorter life expectancy, more crime and imprisonment, higher rates of mental illness, drug abuse, and obesity, as well as a
The authors include substantial data to support their assertions. In Part One, “Material Success, Social Failure" they address the current condition of the developed world. In Part Two, “The Costs of Inequality”, separate chapters are devoted to each problem area. In Part Three, “A Better Society”, the authors outline strategies that could be used to promote greater economic equality. They emphasize that how a society becomes more equal is less important than the fact that it actually does become more equal.
The Spirit Level is an interesting and convincing book. Readers will be hard pressed to deny the correlation between economic inequality and negative social outcomes. One of the most satisfying aspects of the book is that it offers solutions rather than merely highlight problems. The authors are optimistic that the problems can be solved. They encourage us to take action.
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host of other problems. Inequality negatively impacts all levels of society – the poor, the wealthy and the middle class.The authors include substantial data to support their assertions. In Part One, “Material Success, Social Failure" they address the current condition of the developed world. In Part Two, “The Costs of Inequality”, separate chapters are devoted to each problem area. In Part Three, “A Better Society”, the authors outline strategies that could be used to promote greater economic equality. They emphasize that how a society becomes more equal is less important than the fact that it actually does become more equal.
The Spirit Level is an interesting and convincing book. Readers will be hard pressed to deny the correlation between economic inequality and negative social outcomes. One of the most satisfying aspects of the book is that it offers solutions rather than merely highlight problems. The authors are optimistic that the problems can be solved. They encourage us to take action.
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LibraryThing member lisalangford
received as an Early Reviewer copy...thanks so much! Will be reading next...
LibraryThing member Janientrelac
The most dramatic information in this book is how badly the US does (and Portugal) among the developed nations by any rating, infant deaths to life expectancy, etc. but that is not new. What is interesting is how this effects the rich, rich people would actually be better off in a more egalitarian
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societies. Show Less
LibraryThing member LynnB
The main premise of this book is that, once countries have reached a basic level of prosperity, those that have a more equal distribution of wealth do better than those with large inequalities. Specifically, everyone (the poor, the middle class and the rich) are better off in more equal socieities.
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While that basic argument was clear, I had difficulty at times connecting the data to the argument. The book also ignored gender differences, and cultural differences among countries and within heterogenous societies. Nice idea, supported with lots of data but not convincingly argued. Show Less
LibraryThing member libraryhead
A compelling statement of the problem, but their proposed solutions are fairly thin sauce. Nothing for it but to move to Scandinavia, apparently!
LibraryThing member Vintagecoats
As a current graduate student in peace studies and conflict resolution, one would be forgiven for thinking that I already agree with many of the arguments which drive this book. That is, that societies with greater levels of mutual equality between all of their members possess fewer instances of
That being said though, this work comes to the table with an arsenal of statistics and research to drive its point home and stave off a number of anticipated responses from doubters. Charts and tables are common accessories to the writing, to provide as many opportunities as possible for visual representations of the research to remain present in the mind of the reader.
If anything, my only real complaint with the book, enough so that it is worth a whole point deduction, is the density of it all. This is an important book certainly, but it certainly does not possess the slickness of little witticisms and other such accoutrements that would be necessary for most folks to consider giving it a read.
It works as an excellent textbook, and the information contained within makes some seriously important arguments, but it will be incredibly difficult for one to convince a friend or family member to borrow or buy it.
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conflict and structural weaknesses in social and state institutions. That being said though, this work comes to the table with an arsenal of statistics and research to drive its point home and stave off a number of anticipated responses from doubters. Charts and tables are common accessories to the writing, to provide as many opportunities as possible for visual representations of the research to remain present in the mind of the reader.
If anything, my only real complaint with the book, enough so that it is worth a whole point deduction, is the density of it all. This is an important book certainly, but it certainly does not possess the slickness of little witticisms and other such accoutrements that would be necessary for most folks to consider giving it a read.
It works as an excellent textbook, and the information contained within makes some seriously important arguments, but it will be incredibly difficult for one to convince a friend or family member to borrow or buy it.
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LibraryThing member mnicol
Thought provoking, but intensely frustrating book. Proves that inequality has many bad consequences, but is uninterested in why inequality exists. Advocates a grass-roots movement of pro-equality networking groups and writing letters to the newspaper.
LibraryThing member Othemts
The thesis of this book is that greater equality creates a better society is a no-brainer for me. But we live in an age where there are some who promote greater inequality and deny the need for society at all. The authors richly illustrate the advantages of equality and the disadvantages of
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inequality in our world. This is probably not a work to listen to as an audiobook as I think for my mind it requires greater attention and study. Show Less
LibraryThing member maartekes
The ideas in this book are very interesting, but unfortunately the book itself is poorly written. It would be a better read if it just limited itself to the facts and left out all the vague explanations of the reasons why the facts are the way they are.
LibraryThing member XOX
Less concrete when compare to "The Price of Inequality" but spread the same message in a different way.
Chats and chats and chats that compare why people living in less equality would make them less happy, less trusting.
Just started on the first 4 chapters, already like it.
Money mean less for a
Overall, it sucks for all people when society is too unequal.
Will come back after I read a few more chapters.
Chats and chats and chats that compare why people living in less equality would make them less happy, less trusting.
Just started on the first 4 chapters, already like it.
Money mean less for a
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society when it already well fed. But then you are less happy when you are much poorer than your neighbors. Overall, it sucks for all people when society is too unequal.
Will come back after I read a few more chapters.
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LibraryThing member brakketh
Uses a number of data supported examples to demonstrate that poorer societal outcomes result in part from greater inequality (not just for the poor but for all quartiles of wealth). They hypothesise that this results from changes to trust and social connectedness. This section had too much
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evolutionary psychology for me (not that convinced in science that cannot make predictions). Suggested methods for improving equality of societies. Show Less
Awards
Orwell Prize (Longlist — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009
Physical description
400 p.; 5.08 inches
ISBN
0241954290 / 9780241954294