Why More Equality?
Quite simply: in rich (ie. developed) countries, research has shown that a smaller gap between rich and poor means a happier, healthier, and more successful population.
Here are 13 specific reasons, referring to research on The Equality Trust‘s web site, why this is the case:
Unicef measures of child well-being are better in more equal societies.
2. Drug Abuse
People in more equal societies are less likely to use illegal drugs.
3. Education
Children do better at school in more equal societies.
4. Equality and Global Warming
Inequality fuels status competition, individualism and consumerism.
Further economic growth will not improve our health or well-being. For a better quality of life we need greater income equality.
6. Imprisonment
Unequal societies are harsher, they imprison a higher proportion of people.
People in more equal societies are far less likely to experience mental illness.
8. Obesity
Obesity is less common in more equal societies.
People in more equal societies live longer, a smaller proportion of children die in infancy and self-rated health is better.
More equal societies spend a higher proportion their income on overseas aid and perform better on the Global Peace Index.
11. Social Mobility
There is more social mobility in more equal societies.
12. Teenage Births
Teenage motherhood is less common in more equal societies.
13. Violence
Homicide rates are lower and children experience less violence in more equal societies.
When you think about it, these things are already pretty self-evident; they are the reasons why newspapers and politicians keep referring to ‘broken Britain’.
But, the exciting thing about identifying the causes of these social evils, is that we have a clear way to fix them. This is what we, and other like-minded groups around the country, are trying to achieve.
Any comments? Please let us know.