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The cover of The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger

The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger

Richard Wilkinson, Kate Pickett

Income gaps in affluent societies are linked to differences in health, trust, education, and violence. We examine the evidence and possible paths toward greater equality.

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16 parts, about 22 minutes to read.

At a glance

Author
Richard Wilkinson, Kate Pickett
Parts
16 parts
Reading time
about 22 minutes
The whole book
Also to read in full

What the summary covers

  1. The end of an era1 min
  2. Poverty or inequality?2 min
  3. How inequality gets under the skin1 min
  4. Community life and social relations1 min
  5. Mental health and drug use1 min
  6. Physical health and life expectancy2 min
  7. Obesity: wider income gaps, wider waists1 min
  8. Educational performance1 min
  9. Teenage births: recycling deprivation1 min
  10. Violence: gaining respect1 min
  11. Imprisonment and punishment1 min
  12. Social mobility: unequal opportunities1 min
  13. Dysfunctional societies2 min
  14. Our social inheritance1 min
  15. Equality and sustainability2 min
  16. Building the future3 min

Read it alongside

  • Goes deeperCapital in the Twenty First Century

    Wilkinson and Pickett argue that narrower gaps can reduce dependence on growth; Piketty adds a constraint: when capital returns exceed growth and owners reinvest enough, inherited wealth can pull further ahead.

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