ipl-logo

The Spirit Level: Why Equality Is Better For Everyone

1465 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on inequality in economics

In their socio-economic book, The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone, award winning Kate Pickett and partner Richard Wilkinson present a great focus on inequality, its effects and ways to make society a more equal one. With many data research methods and supporting data used, The Spirit Level reminds us that we live in a world of inequality and are oblivious to what it causes. Linking psychological aspects of humanity, the authors cause the readers to realise the harsh reality of the world we live in and how society’s thinking is shaped around the concept of consumerism and status competition. The beginning of the book captivates the reader by introducing statistics of different countries, showing how the national income level per person has an impact on life expectancy and happiness. Along with this information, a guide on how to read the graphs has also been included. Placing these statistics and guide at the beginning of the book …show more content…

What The Spirit Level forgets to take in account are other factors that contributes to the causes explained in each chapter, such as cultural and political, giving minimum information about how equality actually makes society better. It fails in supporting the title: ‘Why Equality is Better for Everyone’. The causes are strongly explained rather than how equality does make society better. The final aspect the authors fail to recognise is equality as a subjective matter. Its definition differs between people. In Gene Fellner’s book anarchist Alexander Berkman states “equality does not mean an equal amount but an equal amount”. With these downfalls to think about and the research included, The Spirit Level leaves a food for thought for the readers about if the world can ever be

Show More
Related
999 Words | 4 Pages

Equality has good meaning in his ideals; however it is easy to subjectively ignore that there is possibility that others may from even actions intended to free them to seek happiness. Ideally a world would exist where all could live together in peace, where all could respect one another’s happiness; but due to the inherently subjective way humans interact with the surrounding world, it is merely impossible for such a world to exist. Rules only seek to try to build such a world; but it’s impossible for

Read More
1190 Words | 5 Pages

Equality was living in a world where citizens were suffocated with the concepts of altruism and collectivism, and where conformity conquers all. In the Uncharted Forest, Equality stumbles upon hundreds of novels, full of words desperate to be read, and forbidden phrases frantic to be brought to the surface. Equality states to Liberty that they should “forget all things save that we are together and that there is joy as a bond between us… It is own our world, Golden One, a strange unknown world, but our own” (83-84). Equality becomes inspired to go back to the Home of the Street Sweepers to build a vengeful army of vigorously robust go-getters that will build their own empire, based on the fundamentals of independence and

Read More
740 Words | 3 Pages

First, Equality showed that the power of selfishness and individuality could do great things if one believes. For example, giving the evil, Street Sweeper (Equality) the courage to break the Council’s rules and

Read More
1198 Words | 5 Pages

As Equality starts to grasp onto topics not known to people of his society, he starts questioning the actions he involves himself in, but ultimately develops a sense of independence from society as these new activities start bringing him happiness and delight. Equality shows these emotions as he describes, “And yet there is no shame in us and no regret... it seems to us that our spirit is clear as a lake troubled by no eyes” (37). Equality feels “no shame” and “no regret” in everything he’s doing, but this is just the beginning of his growing awareness towards being sovereign from his original society. He continues by expressing that his “spirit is clear as a lake troubled by no eyes.”

Read More
600 Words | 3 Pages

Equality acted against the society because he was a street sweeper doing a Scholar’s job. This is what he had to say about what Equality had done. “ How dared you, gutter cleaner,” spoke Fraternity 9-3452 “,to hold yourself as one alone and with the thoughts of the one and not of the many?” ( Rand 72 ). Equality begs for them to keep the light, but the world council is stuck to their collective ways.

Read More
787 Words | 4 Pages

Therefore Equality envisions a new society at the end of the book, that does not involve “We” as in the government of collectivists but more “I” as in individuality. In Equality’s world the rules he lives by existed so everyone would not live for themselves and so everyone would be treated equally. These rules symbolized collectivism (Rand 8) and if the people in this society did not respect the rules they would have serious consequences. For example in the book it states “it is a sin to think words no others think” (Rand 17).

Read More
855 Words | 4 Pages

Equality is something people want till people actually have it. Equality often limits a person’s abilities and disables to do something for themselves or inspire themselves. Equality's, the main character in the book Anthem, the primary motivation is proving that he is smart enough to become a scholar. Equality has a right to be motivated in this way since he believes that he can help the society so he is giving into the collectivism. I think that if everyone was motivated in this way, there would be a more progressive society where people sought to improve themselves and society at the same time.

Read More
764 Words | 4 Pages

Equality also expresses his pleasure in the Science of Things as he creates electricity. Slowly, Equality begins to do whatever will bring him pleasure and happiness, and according to the author, a country is based on “a man’s right to the pursuit of happiness. His own happiness” (Soul of an Individualist 38). Equality displays his integrity as he is true to his principles and beliefs. He realizes that no society can be collectivist without depriving individuals of basic rights, conforming to Ayn Rand’s beliefs: “There is no such thing as a collective brain…collective thought” (Soul of an Individualist 9).

Read More
569 Words | 3 Pages

Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 brings mention to the way equality is perceived by society. Equality is safe, it’s comfortable, people don’t worry when they have no one to judge themselves against. Some forms of equality are not completely natural, “not everyone born free and equal as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal” ( Bradburry 55).

Read More
923 Words | 4 Pages

Mary Douglas quipped, “Inequality can have a bad downside, but equality, for its part, sure does get in the way of coordination.” Yes, inequality can have bumps in the road as she states with a bad downside. However, equality can bring in more than a bumpy road; it can tear down the balance of nature. Ultimately, equality could distract us from our relationship with God due to the excellence no one can compete with; Our world without God can lead us to this twisted, ungodly, and most terrifying place if we as a people decide for worldwide equality starting

Read More
699 Words | 3 Pages

As a result of this realization, Equality starts to live a

Read More
526 Words | 3 Pages

Others may think that everyone should be equal, but this is taking it to far. Since everyone has to be absolutely equal in mental and physical strength, no matter who you are, you 'd be equal with the mentally and physically challenged people. As seen in the story there are mentally challenged people and in order for everyone to be equal they would only be able to think as much as them. So

Read More
725 Words | 3 Pages

Equality discovers what individualism is and what it means, but when Equality finds out what it means it changes his view throughout the

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

Safeguarding is the action that taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. The Children 's Act of 1998 put procedures in place that mean local authorities, courts, parents and other agencies in the United Kingdom have been given specific duties to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted. The UK has policies and laws around education, health and social welfare which cover most aspects of safeguarding and child protection. Laws ' are passed to prevent behaviour that can harm children, or require action to protect them and informs what agencies should do to play their part in keeping children safe Guidelines and procedures have been put in place for people who work with children.

Read More
1362 Words | 6 Pages

The Word ‘We’ is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it” (Rand, 1946, p. 97). Equality 7-2521 words generate the notion that a collective society destroys humankind 's potential, while avoiding others gifted personalities. Equality is a 21 year old who defies societal norms and grabs tightly on to his curse of individualism, while living in a collectivist society that demands obedience from the group. Throughout the story, Equality progresses, as he reaches for his independence and rebel against the dictatorship of the government. As a result, Equality is faced with conflicts, internally and externally.

Read More

More about The Spirit Level: Why Equality Is Better For Everyone

Related Topics

Open Document