Spirit Level Inequality

Inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society. In a country with a high level of inequality there are higher levels of health and social problems. Also no one is better off in a country that has a high level of inequality. A rich person in a more equal society is better off than one in a more unequal society. Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett's book "The Spirit Level" does a great job at pointing out how inequality affects different powerful countries and states in the United States.
According to "The Spirit Level" inequality negatively effects: level of trust, mental illness, health, violence, and social mobility. People in a country that has high levels …show more content…
When a person feels like the world is against them, they tended to be more violent, which explains the high level of violence in inequality countries which leads to high imprisonment rates. People in unequal societies tend to be more depressed and stress with leads to high level of diseases. Children wellbeing is better in more equal states even if they are born in a single parent home. Children in more equal societies do better in school as well even if they come from a lower class. Also richer student do better in more equal societies then rich students in unequal societies. Furthermore, inequality society when children think they are inferior they perform worst when they are being judged. Obesity is a major problem due to the poor people cannot afford health food and have to either eat cheap fast …show more content…
They have social programs that are intend to help the poor. Like head start programs for young child, however they are not as good as the head starts for richer students. Government tries to make the system equal, but to full do it the whole system would have to change. Inequality does cause a problem for democracy. One reason why it causes a problem is if a group of people feel inferior to another group they would feel there is no reason for them to take apart in government. Also that same group would feel that they can do not have a voice and will not trust government. Inequality can be fixed some countries have already started making steps towards achieved equality. "The Spirit Level” states that one must first understand that there is not one specific way to improve equality for every country or state that suffers from a high level of inequality. The book goes on to give some solutions that would help a country to strength equality. one example that the book gives is redistributive of taxes and benefits and large welfare state. Also the book calls for more non-profit business and more employee owner business meaning the employ are the shareholders. It will not be an easy road to equality. "The Spirit Levels" says the best place to start in the business arena for it would be easier than getting governments to change