
The Spirit Level
Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger
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Narrated by:
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Clive Chafer
About this listen
Renowned researchers Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett offer groundbreaking analysis showing that greater economic equality-not greater wealth-is the mark of the most successful societies, and offer new ways to achieve it.
©2009 Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (P)2011 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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A must listen for a hopeful future
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It is a bit of a thick topic, and the contribution of a droning narrator makes it unnecessarily difficult to absorb. While Chafer's narration wasn't bad, I would call it inappropriate. I get an image of him as a tired British college professor trying to explain something complicated to those who he doesn't expect will understand the subject matter. Starting around chapter 14, it became a chore to continue listening.
Fascinating subject matter, difficult narration
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For me, this book is a turning point. Now, I know the bottom line. Now, I can turn my attention to what to do about it. This is a hugely important book--I strongly recommend it. Easy reading, graphs are as clear as day. They're available as a pdf from the publisher, Tantor. Mind blowing what's been happening to our country!
This book explains America's bad mood
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The details presented in this research are compelling. Wilkinson and Picket document through both statistical and anecdotal evidence how it is inequality—as distinguished from just comfortable life above subsistence—that affects the rates of murders, suicides, teen pregnancy, and prison population levels in any society worldwide. Inequality is also the main factor in the level of distrust, violence, illiteracy, and life expectancy across otherwise divergent societies—the authors point out that those with extreme wealth are hardly exempt from these effects.
The solutions that Wilkinson and Picket suggest appear to center on a common theme: the establishment of cooperative relationships with common aims for improved quality of life. The concept of an Ownership Society touted by George W. Bush comes to mind—except this would be effected in actuality instead of just as a fig leaf for neoliberal chicanery. The authors provide as examples of successful implementation the use of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), most notably those in which employees have a meaningful say in company operations—the empowerment of employees and the communities they live in has proven to be a sure way to ensure that people are well off to begin with, greatly reducing the need for redistribution.
To achieve the needed level of equality, it is necessary to counter the strong winds of right wing cult messaging emanating from a billionaire funded ecosystem of think tanks, educational institutions, lobbying entities, and broadcast and social media outlets, which pushes failed free market ideology and distorts the sense of reality for the millions of people caught in its web of lies. Although reversing the effects of this harmful disinformation is a tall order, we can achieve it through promoting powerful corrective information in both the cognitive and emotional realms of the public. That will establish and maintain popular will for rebuilding what’s been torn down, and open the way to take action on the recommendations both in this book and at equalitytrust.org.uk. This is the way we can fight for the changes needed to make life optimal for everyone—including the wealthy.
Optimal life for everyone—including the wealthy
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A very important subject
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The Next Evolution of Democratic Capitalism
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What made the experience of listening to The Spirit Level the most enjoyable?
The Spirit Level is one of those rare examples of social science being science. There are centuries of theoretical discussions about how best to allocate wealth, but this book actually provides data. The authors do their best to keep it entertaining, but it is occasionally demanding on the reader. Downloading the pdf file is a must to understanding the book. I hope the Spirit Level is read by every policy maker in the world.An Important Book
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Breathtakingly insightful and compelling work
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excellent evidence
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Equality
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