The Impact of Inequality: How to Make Sick Societies HealthierA “powerful and provocative” inquiry into the relationship between societies’ inequality and their citizens’ health, happiness and well-being (Lisa Berkman, Harvard School of Public Health). Comparing the United States with other market democracies, and one American state with another, this book presents irrefutable evidence that inequality is a driver of poor health, social conflict, and violence. Pioneering social scientist Richard Wilkinson addresses the growing feeling—so common in the United States—that modern societies, despite their material success, are social failures. The Impact of Inequality explains why inequality has such devastating effects on the quality and length of our lives. Wilkinson shows that inequality leads to stress, which in turn creates sickness on the individual and mass level. As a consequence, society suffers widespread unhappiness and high levels of violence, depression, and mistrust across the social spectrum. With persuasive evidence and fascinating analysis, the diagnosis is clear: Social and political equality are essential to improving life for everyone. Wilkinson argues that even small reductions in inequality can make an important difference—for, as this book explains, social relations are always built on material foundations. “This new book, a wonderful work of synthesis, brings insight into how conditions of society impact on people’s daily lives. . . . It is a stimulating and exciting book.” —Sir Michael Marmot, author of The Status Syndrome |
Contents
Anxieties and Insecurities | |
Health and Inequality | |
Violence and Inequality | |
Cooperation or Conflict? | |
Gender Race and Inequality | |
Evolved Social Strategies | |
Liberty Equality Fraternity | |
References | |
Index | |
Other editions - View all
The Impact of Inequality: How to Make Sick Societies Healthier Richard G. Wilkinson Limited preview - 2005 |
The Impact of Inequality: How to Make Sick Societies Healthier Richard G. Wilkinson No preview available - 2005 |
The Impact of Inequality: How to Make Sick Societies Healthier Richard G. Wilkinson No preview available - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
animals anxiety areas associated average income behavior blood pressure bonobos British Medical Journal changes chapter chronic stress conflict cooperation cortisol death rates developed countries dominance hierarchies early childhood economic effects of inequality egalitarian equality evidence expectancy experience feel fifty U.S. figure friendship Genuine Progress Indicator health inequalities heart disease higher homicide hormone human impact important income differences income distribution income inequality increase inequality and health inferiority involvement in community Kawachi Kerala less levels living standards look low social status lower male material measures modern societies mortality other’s people’s percent poorer population pregnancy primates problems processes psychological psychosocial risk factors quality of social richest self-esteem sense serotonin shame shows social anxiety social capital social class social dominance Social Dominance Orientation social environment social hierarchy social relations social strategies species status differences studies subordinate suggested tendency trust understanding unequal societies United violence vulnerable Wilkinson women