Fascinating presentation from Kate Pickard of The Equality Trust at the Green Party conference today (also co-author of The Spirit Level).
The basic thesis is simple: Almost everyone benefits from equality. Usually the benefits are greatest among the poor but extend to the majority of the population.
So she presented us with figures on death rates for working age men
Among the lowest social class in England and Wales death rate it is 7.8; in Sweden 4.8, the far more equal society. But the disparity also occurs in the top social class: England 5.3, Sweden 3.7.
Literacy scores are also higher for everyone in more equal countries.
Why are we so sensitive to inequality?
For health it is really important how people interact with others. Ill health is associated with low social status, weak social affiliations and being stressed in early life.
In less equal societies there is evidence of more status competition – longer working hours, greater debts, family life more stressed.
And they consume more….
When people told they are inferior do worse in tests – and no doubt in their jobs (women maths tests, lower caste children in Indian tests).
More equal societies are more innovative. Inequality plotted against patents per head – inland Sweden Japan high, Singapore, US low.
Then the speaker said something I think is very significant and well worth further consideration: Economic growth is a substitute for equality. We need equality as a substitute for growth – improves the quality of life for all of us.
In response to a questioner, she said: “broadly it doesn’t mater how you get to greater equality”
But in Britain today, to reduce inequality the focus needed to be at the top. “We used to think those people were doing something clever for us; now we know better.”
The Equality Trust is backing Compass call for high pay commission.
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