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The spirit level

Why more equal societies almost always do better

The rich/poor divide narrows

THE SPIRIT LEVEL
Why more equal societies almost always do better
By Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett
Penguin. 331 pages. £20.00
ISBN 978-1-846-14039-6

This is not a ‘Christian’ book. I nevertheless found it utterly fascinating. The authors are both British academics. Their argument, as I understand it, is simply this: in places where the difference in income between those receiving the most and those getting the least is small almost everyone is better off. In places where the difference is great almost everyone suffers.

The authors present a substantial body of evidence to show that countries with greater income inequality also have higher rates of mental illness, drug abuse, imprisonment, obesity, teenage pregnancy, violence and other social problems. In countries where incomes are more equal these problems are substantially reduced. A similar pattern emerges when comparing American states.

Greater equality may be thought of as benefiting the poor, and it would certainly appear that this is the case. The authors argue, however, that in more equal societies the vast majority of people benefit, including those who are financially better off. Death rates for working age men, for example, are higher in all social classes in England and Wales (a less equal society) than for the same social classes in Sweden (a more equal society.) The same is true when comparing infant deaths.

So what should a Christian make of a book like this? It would be easy to dismiss it as an attempt to preach salvation by socialism — a corporate version of salvation by works. My own reaction was somewhat different. The more I read the more I became mindful of the Old Testament law of jubilee and all that Scripture has to say about social justice. The reasons for the law of jubilee as I understand it were varied and complex. I believe, however, that it was given at least in part to prevent a wide disparity of wealth developing among God’s people. As the people of God we are commanded to act justly, defend the widows and the orphans and seek the wellbeing of others above our own. We are also told that our actions, be they good or evil, will have consequences for ourselves and for others.

Should we, therefore, be surprised if people in more equal societies appear to be healthier, more stable and at less risk of violence? Should we be surprised if the social sciences sometimes confirm things that students of the Bible either knew, or should have known, all along?

Salvation, I maintain, is only by the finished work of Christ. I nevertheless found this book challenging. I could not help but ask: if this is true, what are the implications for me, for my profession, for my church and the way I vote? In the last few chapters the authors suggest some possible ways ahead. There is, however, still a lot that I want to think about and discuss.

This is not, as I have said, a ‘Christian’ book. (Readers of Evangelicals Now may disagree with what the authors say about evolution.) That said, it is a book that thinking Christians would do well to consider.

John Steley,
member of Central Baptist Church in Walthamstow,
and a psychologist in private practice in London
john.steley@btinternet.com