The Inner Level

The sequel to the global phenomenon The Spirit Level, this book explores the impact of inequality on each of us individually.

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett's The Spirit Level, now published in more than twenty languages, has been one of the most influential non-fiction books published in the last decade. It shows conclusively how less equal societies fare worse than more equal ones across a whole range of social measures—health, education, levels of violence, life expectancy, and child wellbeing—and has initiated the enormous public attention now given to the impacts of inequality.

Based on an equally impressive range of data and analysis, The Inner Level now shows the impact inequality has on individuals. It explains how inequality affects us psychologically, makes social relations more stressful, undermines self-confidence, and distorts natural differences in personal abilities. The book demonstrates that societies based on fundamental equalities, sharing, and reciprocity produce much higher levels of wellbeing than those based on excessive individualism, competitiveness, and social aggression.

Like its predecessor, The Inner Level will transform ideas of how we should organise the way we live together.