The effects of unequal societies on rich and poor
Posted on 27 February 2009
In The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better, Dr Kate Pickett and Professor Richard Wilkinson suggest that nearly every modern social and environmental problem, from drugs and violence to obesity and long working hours, is more likely to occur in a less equal society.
While the poor are widely recognised to suffer most as a result of these social ills, Dr Pickett and Professor Wilkinson argue that the well-off are adversely affected as well.
The book is published on 5 March and its launch will be celebrated at a special event at the University on 18 March.
Based on data from 30 years of research, The Spirit Level suggests that if the gap between rich and poor in British society was closer to that of countries such as Japan, Norway, Sweden and Finland, levels of trust might be expected to increase by two-thirds, homicide rates could fall by 75 per cent, everyone could have the equivalent of almost seven weeks extra holiday a year, and many prisons could close.
Dr Pickett, from the Department of Health Sciences, said: "Even allowing for the current economic circumstances, we live in an era of unprecedented prosperity, comfort and extravagance and yet we find ourselves more anxious, isolated, unhealthy and unhappy than ever.
"Our research shows this will not change until we address the growing gap between the richest and poorest."
Professor Wilkinson, a visiting Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, said: "Societies reach a point where extra income ceases to bring the wealthiest any additional well-being and the gap between the richest and poorest has a corrosive effect on the quality of life enjoyed by all.
"We need to find ways of creating a more collaborative society that produces benefits for everybody."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better is published by Allen Lane, priced £20 and can be purchased at www.penguin.co.uk. Review copies are available from Thi Dinh on 020 7010 3156 or thi.dinh@uk.penguingroup.com.
- The University of York was ranked the best in the country for health services research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
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Listen to Dr Kate Pickett discuss her book The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better