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  • The Inner Level

  • How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone's Well-being
  • By: Richard Wilkinson, Kate Pickett
  • Narrated by: Finlay Robertson
  • Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (58 ratings)
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The Inner Level

By: Richard Wilkinson,Kate Pickett
Narrated by: Finlay Robertson
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Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Inner Level by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, read by Finlay Robertson.

Why is the incidence of mental illness in the UK twice that in Germany? Why are Americans three times more likely than the Dutch to develop gambling problems? Why is child well-being so much worse in New Zealand than Japan? As this ground-breaking study demonstrates, the answer to all these hinges on inequality.

In The Spirit Level Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett put inequality at the centre of public debate by showing conclusively that less-equal societies fare worse than more equal ones across everything from education to life expectancy. The Inner Level now explains how inequality affects us individually, how it alters how we think, feel and behave. It sets out the overwhelming evidence that material inequalities have powerful psychological effects: when the gap between rich and poor increases, so does the tendency to defi ne and value ourselves and others in terms of superiority and inferiority. A deep well of data and analysis is drawn upon to empirically show, for example, that low social status is associated with elevated levels of stress, and how rates of anxiety and depression are intimately related to the inequality which makes that status paramount.

Wilkinson and Pickett describe how these responses to hierarchies evolved, and why the impacts of inequality on us are so severe. In doing so, they challenge the conception that humans are innately competitive and self-interested. They undermine, too, the idea that inequality is the product of 'natural' differences in individual ability. This book sheds new light on many of the most urgent problems facing societies today, but it is not just an index of our ills. It demonstrates that societies based on fundamental equalities, sharing and reciprocity generate much higher levels of well-being, and lays out the path towards them.

©2018 Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"The question of inequality is likely to play a bigger role in the next election than it has for more than a generation. It would be better for all of us if that debate was informed by robust statistical analysis rather than the emotive politics of envy. Any politician wishing to do so would be wise to read Wilkinson and Pickett's books." (Andrew Anthony)

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Thoughtful, challenging

I hesitate to say the performance is quite flat which makes this a tougher listen, but the writing is superb. a genuinely brilliant follow up to their previous work.

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Bind blowing

Incredibly interesting, it's very accessible even for non-specialist. It really changed the way I look at the world now. Highly recommended

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Is research driving ideology or ideology driving research conclusions?

Compelling presentation of data around inequality but conclusions seem to be a little bit uncritical of the socialist solution. It’s as if the 20th century didn’t happen. That said, still worth a read if you still think “greed is good”.

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A powerful argument well made

A wider understanding of these challenging issues are vital to conceptualise and implement societal change.

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