One of the most interesting new trends in politics is emerging in Newport. This afternoon I attended the local branch of the Equality Trust - which is inspired by the thinking in the book The Spirit Level.
The main argument in Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett's book is that more equal societies almost always do better. The evidence is compelling.
In Hungary in the year 2000 there was a popular T-shirt. On the front it asked 'What has 10 years of right wing Government done that 50 years of Communism could never do?' The answer on the back of the shirt read 'Made the people love socialism'. It could have read 'love equality.'
The 50 years of communism was drab, uniform and mean. But everyone shared the misery equality which gave them a measure of contentment. The collapse of communism divided society into the new millionaire entrepreneurs and the bulk of the population whose income fell behind inflation. Inequality fostered unhappiness.
The Scandinavian countries are more equal than we are. When I was in Iceland 7 years ago a pint of beer cost £8. That's partly because the barman's wages are not far behind those of a surgeon. Bad news for drinkers. Good news for the national well being.
The Public Administration Committee is looking at the Big Society. Ridicule is an easy option but not a very productive one. My intention is to probe the examples of the successes of the Big Society that will be paraded before us. I hope that the authors of the Spirit Level can contribute to our inquiry.
The cynicism on the gimmick of the Big Society is justified because of its sponsors. It should be tested against the powerful arguments of the Spirit Level.
Comments