Great inequality is the scourge of modern societies

[Pensioner]

This is an interesting study I wonder what you guys make of it.

“Great inequality is the scourge of modern societies. We provide the evidence on each of eleven different health and social problems: physical health, mental health, drug abuse, education, imprisonment, obesity, social mobility, trust and community life, violence, teenage births, and child well-being. For all eleven of these health and social problems, outcomes are very substantially worse in more unequal societies.

We have checked the relationships wherever possible in two independent test beds: internationally among the rich countries, and then again among the 50 states of the USA. In almost every case we find the same tendency for outcomes to be much worse in more unequal societies in both settings.
We also present evidence on four other important issues. One is how achieving greater equality within the rich countries may contribute to tackling the inequalities between rich and poor countries. Another is a discussion of both the compatibility and relative merits of greater equality and economic growth as sources of improvements in the quality of life among rich countries. There is a page discussing how greater equality may contribute to policies designed to tackle global warming, and lastly, a page (The Remedies) pointing out that there are many different ways of increasing equality in our societies.”

http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/why/evidence

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I wonder if they've ever heard of feudalism. (Meaning this ain't news.)

[Jay G]

I don't get it. Greater equality of what? NOTE: I'm still drunk from last night

[Clinton Huxley]

Is this the Spirit Level thing? Labours new handbook?

[Clinton Huxley]

Yes it is. The Tory Attack Pigs have already gone after them..,

[PsychoSerenity]

Doesn't surprise me. Makes sense, doesn't it?

[sandinista]

stating the obvious?

[Pensioner]

Is this the Spirit Level thing? Labours new handbook?

Fuck the new Labour party and the new handbook,the money grubbing bastards should be tarred and feathered and given a good kicking, can I join in?

[floppit]

Have you ever read much by Tony Benn Pen? I'm guessing you probably have.

[drl2]

But... but... I thought the 1% that control 90% of the wealth were hard workers who deserved it and everyone else are lazy bums who just don't want to work! At least, that's the basis of the American economic system right now.

[The Dawktor]

This was all described first (in health outcomes vs Social Class terms) in The Black Report in the 60's I think.

I had the privilege of meeting Sir Douglas Black shortly before his death- I told him that they had MADE me read his book at Medical School- he asked me what I thought of it- I replied that it really was a lot of stating the bleeding obvious- he laughed and said "The trick is Dawktor- to be the 1st to state the bleeding obvious and publish it- that book has been a great pension". Lovely man!

Edyt fur the interested:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Black

[Pensioner]

I agree with you Doc, the guy was a lovely man, and as for your comment “stating the bleeding obvious” you don’t have to convince me of that fact but we are in a minority as I do not think the majority of voters have ever heard of Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett or Sir Douglas Black.

Floppit I have read all of Tony Benn’s diaries, a good read I must say.