The Spirit Level
The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone was published in 2009. Written by Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, the book highlights the "pernicious effects that inequality has on societies: eroding trust, increasing anxiety and illness, (and) encouraging excessive consumption". It shows that for 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 pregnancies, and child well-being, outcomes are significantly worse in more unequal rich countries.
As of September 2012, the book had sold more than 150,000 copies in English. It is available in 23 foreign editions.
Frequently asked questions about the book.
Health
Children and Social Mobility
Sustainability and Development
Foreign Aid and Global Peace Index
Crime
Powerpoint Slides
You can download a collection of Powerpoint slides regarding The Spirit Level here.