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The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone Paperback – 4 Nov 2010

by Kate Pickett (Author), Richard Wilkinson (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 269 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin; New Edition edition (4 Nov. 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0241954290
  • ISBN-13: 978-0241954294
  • Product Dimensions: 13 x 2.5 x 19.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (269 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

'This is a book with a big idea, big enough to change political thinking' -- John Carey, Sunday Times

'what might be the most important book of the year' -- John Grace, Guardian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'This is a book with a big idea, big enough to change political thinking' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsInequality- as bad for the rich as for the poor
By Dr. Peter Davies TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on 23 July 2009
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I welcome this book. It is a superb summary of the problems that inequality actually creates. Inequality issues are often presented as being about the poor, but this book shows that we are all poorer for living in more unequal societies. Inequality is as bad for the rich as it is for the poor. Society is poorer as inequality becomes greater.

The impacts of inequality show up in poorer health, lower educational attainment, higher crime rates, lower social capital, lower trust, lower co-operation the more unequal the society becomes. Wilkinson and Pickett give us clear evidence for these statements.

For the last twelve years we have endured in the UK a Labour government that preaches equality (then wonders "equality of what?") whilst actually presiding over increasing inequality and reducing social mobility.

Wilkinson and Pickett present their evidence well, in summary and clearly. I have the benefit of having been reading the research work on inequalities over several years so I recognised their evidence. If you need further evidence then you could follow the references, or read some of Wilkinson's The Impact of Inequality: How to Make Sick Societies Healthierearlier works, or Michael Marmot's useful book, "Status Syndrome." Status Syndrome: How Your Social Standing Directly Affects Your HealthTheir presentation of evidence is strong, and it is difficult after seeing their evidence to argue in favour of greater inequality at all.

Inequality is clearly a bad thing for a society, and its constituent individuals.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent - a shocking read
By Orrery on 5 Jun. 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This book has re-aligned my views completely. In case the title is misleading, the 'equality' is income equality (or inequality) and correlates to so many factors in our society - health outcomes, childhood literacy, obesity, teenage pregnancy etc.

It shows how very unequal societies have much worse problems, even for the very rich. You just end up with the rich having to live in gated communities for security.

Certainly, this is one of the most influential books I've ever read.
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4.0 out of 5 starsClear and convincing introduction to evidence-based policy
By Jezza on 27 Aug. 2009
Format: Hardcover
...which should be required reading for every politician and policy-maker. Equality works - the evidence is overwhelming. Inequality doesn't work - it doesn't deliver a cohesive society or a sustainable economy or even economic performance as any sensible person would measure it.

At first the book is a bit tiring as it grinds through the evidence for this, but it does make the slightly more analytical section later on seem more grounded.

Fascinating to see that Cuba is literally the only country in the world to deliver high levels of human wellbeing at low levels of environmental impact; whatever we think of its shortcomings, and there are many, the place needs to be nurtured and treasured like a rare plant which contains a precious medicine -- not blockaded and bullied into adopting 'free market' solutions. Interesting to see too how well Japan does on so many indices - why do our politicians spend so much time learning from the US and so little from anywhere else?

Weak on actual remedies and policies that will help us to move in the right direction but still a brilliant read.
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4.0 out of 5 starsThe book is an important contribution in urging politicians to see social problems as having social solutions
By Mark Pack TOP 500 REVIEWER on 10 Dec. 2011
Format: Paperback
Although first published under a Labour government in 2009, this book is still highly relevant now we have a Conservative / Liberal Democrat coalition. In fact, it is even more relevant because the current political and economic circumstances are forcing politicians to think carefully about how much we are worried about inequality of outcome. Wilkinson and Pickett argue that widespread inequality helps increase a huge range of social ills, with the result that everyone suffers - even the most well off. Inequality in their view isn't just bad for the poor, it's also bad for the rich.

Analysing data primarily from 21 developed countries and also the different American states, they present evidence of a correlation between the level of inequality in each country (or state) and a range of outcomes: levels of trust, mental illness, life expectancy, infant mortality, obesity, children's educational performance, number of teenage births, murders, imprisonment rates and social mobility. More inequality goes with lower trust, more mental illness, higher murder rates and so on.

Within a particular society being richer may go with the problem being smaller for yourself, but across the society as a whole it is the level of inequality that, they say, determines the overall levels of the problem.

The authors therefore argue that rather than securing further economic growth, inequality is now the big challenge facing developed societies: "When the wolf was never far from the door, good times were times of plenty. But for the vast majority of people in affluent countries the difficulties of life are no longer about filling our stomachs, having clear water and keeping warm. Most of us now wish we could eat less rather than more.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Really insightful and intelligent. It felt like it could change the way we discuss all political and economic problems.

Published 25 days ago by Amazon Customer
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This is the future - or we haven't got one!

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Shouldn't go into politics until you have read this book. It s a 'dip in' book - a compulsive read.

Published 2 months ago by Perry
2.0 out of 5 starsTwo Stars

Interesting read, however very repeatitative on data and becomes hard to read

Published 2 months ago by Krauss
5.0 out of 5 starsI bought this to use for my Sociology studies but ...

I bought this to use for my Sociology studies but I think anyone would find it an interesting read.

Published 2 months ago by mumof3
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Thought provoking Worth reading

Published 3 months ago by southfolk
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

A brilliant book! Required reading for all who want a safer world.

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars... interest is unequality and this book gives a very good base for my...

As a Sustainable Development student one of my interest is unequality and this book gives a very good base for my studies. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Timea Dalocsa
5.0 out of 5 starsAs it happens I studied statistics at university so I ...

As it happens I studied statistics at university so I could follow/balance the arguments. I suspect a "non-technical" audience could do with a bit more basic... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Jeremiah S

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