The Psychology of Economic Inequality
Six Reasons Why We are Failing to Challenge Great Inequalities of Income and Wealth
Jim Orford, published by Palgrave Macmillan and as a Springer Nature Open Access book
In the UK, the US and in many other countries, a high level of economic inequality is now one of the major problems facing society, but it seems the political will to restore greater equality is lacking. This book offers a psychological understanding of how economic inequality is tolerated and justified.
Do we, as citizens, understand how unequal our society has become, and how harmful that is? Are our beliefs in merit, desert, and individual autonomy standing in the way of dealing with the problem of high inequality? Is a conspiracy of the rich and powerful to blame, or have we simply accepted a distorted form of economic theory? Finally, what can be done?