Research update: speaking truth to power

Submitted by Bill Kerry on 12 May 2011

We are pleased to introduce the first of what we expect will be occasional updates on single academic papers that relate to income inequality. These are distinct from our research digests which analyse several papers on a particular subject at a time.

Income inequality has risen dramatically and become entrenched over the last 30 years - and we know how difficult it is to convince UK Governments that they should tackle it.

In Evidence and policy-making: speaking truth to power? we present findings from Alex Stevens, Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Kent (pictured), who carried out some research into attitudes amongst civil servants during 2009, the last term of the previous Labour government. 

It shows that although the policy-makers of that time seemed genuinely committed to using evidence, and were apparently convinced of the message in The Spirit Level, they were unwilling to propose action that challenged the status quo... and as a consequence nothing of any significance happened. 

On the one hand this is rather depressing but, on the other, it demonstrates the importance of building public pressure demanding inequality be reduced. The government is far more likely to tackle inequality when there is a groundswell of public support for change. So if you are frustrated by their lack of action, the best response is to join our campaign and help us and others to build the social movement.

Read Evidence and policy-making: speaking truth to power?