Equality - a progressive idea for our times
British epidemiologists Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett have revitalised the debate on equality in their book “The Spirit Level - Why Equality is Better for Everyone”.
Das Progressive Zentrum intensively involves in this discussion with own contributions.
Economist: The rich and the rest
25 January 2011. A new survey by the World Economic Forum, whose annual gathering of bigwigs in Davos begins on January 26th, says its members see widening economic disparities as one of the two main global risks over the next decade (alongside failings in global governance). more
Huffington Post: A New Year´s Resolution for the Rich
3 January 2011. Sam Harris argues: The truth is that everyone must favor the "redistribution of wealth" at some point. This relates directly to the issue of education: as the necessity of doing boring and dangerous work disappears--whether because we have built better machines and infrastructure, or shipped our least desirable jobs overseas--people need to be better educated so that they can apply themselves to more interesting work. Who will pay for this? There is only one group of people who can pay for anything at this point: the wealthy. more
Foreign Affairs: why the rich are getting richer
3 January 2011. Foreign Affairs published Robert C. Liebermans review of the new book " Winner-Take-All Politics". Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson refreshingly break free from the conceit that skyrocketing inequality is a natural consequence of market forces and argue instead that it is the result of public policies that have concentrated and amplified the effects of the economic transformation and directed its gains exclusively toward the wealthy. more
NYT-Opinion: Equality, a true soul food
1 January 2011. Nicholas D. Kristof discusses the arguments of "The Spirit Level". There’s growing evidence that the toll of our stunning inequality is not just economic but also is a melancholy of the soul. more
The Spirit Level reaches NZ - why freedom and equality are kin
19 November 2010. Tim Watkins describes the debate about "The Spirit Level"in New Zealand after Richard Wilkinson´s lecture at Victoria University. more
Updated edition of "The Spirit Level" with Chapter "Research meets Politics"
15 November 2010. An updated edition of The Spirit Level has just been published, including an extra chapter Research Meets Politics in which the authors reflect on the book's reception. Award-winning and critically acclaimed, the book won praise from leaders across the political spectrum including Labour leader Ed Miliband and Prime Minister David Cameron. But in addition to this very positive reception, the book also attracted both thoughtful criticism and a small number of political attacks. In this postscript, the authors consider the reaction to their work, respond to the criticisms made and conclude that "the health of our democracies, our societies and their people, is truly dependent on greater equality." more
Panel Debate "Egalitarian Society - better for everyone?"
25. Oktober 2010. Kate Pickett, Co-Author of "The Spirit Level" will discuss the book´s core arguments with German progressive politicians at the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin. The Invitation
The Spirit Level: Britain´s new theory of everything?
13. October 2010. Both Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband appear to be disciples of The Spirit Level, a book that claims to prove that Britain's unequal society is causing chronic health and social problems for everyone, including the rich. But does the controversial theory hold up? The Article
Video of Richard Wilkinson´s Lecture at Kreisky-Forum, Vienna
30. September 2010. You will find the video of Richard Wilkinsons´s lecture here.
Für eine aufstiegsoffene Gesellschaft
27. September 2010. In order to find a way how to reflate the dynamics of social advancement which have stalled since the 1990ies, Ralf Fücks is reflecting on political measures for education and integration. The article in German
Social advancement and equality – a new social question ?
27.
September 2010. Stephan Ertner analyses the continuing debate on social
equality and fair chances which resulted, amongst others, from the book
“the Spirit Level”. He demands to revisit the principle of merit and a
new balance between commitments and social coverage. The article in German
Wolfgang Kersting: Review of The Spirit Level
2. September 2010 Although Wolfgang Kersting, a renowned political philosopher from the University of Kiel, dismisses the German title of "The Sprirt Level" as inartfully translated, he yet speaks in high terms about the meticulousness and legibility of the statistics displayed in the volume. His review clearly points to the open question of the debate: How do Equality and Equity get together ? The article in German
The Economist: The lessons of the Spirit Level debate for the left, the right and the British public
19. August 2010 The article gives an overview of the debate which reveals flawed thinking for both, Labour and Tories, whereas mainly the Tories are being reproached for their cumbersome distinction between equality of income and of opportunities. The article
John Kay: Review of The Spirit Level
10 August 2010. In a review for Financial Times, John Kay criticises the line of argumentation the authors of "The Spirit Level" have presented. The Review
Response to the objections concerning "The Spirit Level" by Richard Wilkinson
9
August 2010. Richard Wilkinson, co-author of "The Spirit Level",
replies elaborately to the criticism uttered in Prospect magazine. He
explains the methodology of the survey and has his doubts about the
academic reputation of Christopher Snowdon. The response
Matthew Sinclair: The Problem with "The Spirit Level"
9 August 2010. Matthew Sinclair accuses the authors of "The Spirit Level" of several argumentative und methodical mistakes. In his essay published in Prospect magazine he particularly refers to Swedish surveys and the controversial book "The Spirit Level delusion" by Christopher Snowdon. The Essay
The book that has the Tories running scared
9 August 2010. Nick Cohen vividly portrays in his essay, how controversially Britain received Richard Wilkinson's und Kate Pickett's book "The Spirit Level". Think tanks associated with the Tories reacted with rejection and anger, whereas several Labour approvers seem to surpass each other appreciating it. The Essay
Game changer or footnote? (Game-changer oder Fußnote?)
26 July 2010. Konrad Kögler is asking why of all books "The Spirit Level" evoked such a lengthy debate on social equality? What is new about it? What has to be debated in society, so that the book will not just result in a short hype? The Essay in German