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Inequality Makes Us Anxious

Inequality makes people anxious. How? Well, according to Kate Pickett in unequal societies we become more conscious of our position in society, more aware of our status.

Inequality makes people anxious. How? Well, according to Kate Pickett, in unequal societies we become more conscious of our position in society, more aware of our status. That creates anxiety. And that in turn is linked to all sorts of bad outcomes, such as obesity, lower life-expectancy, and higher levels of teenage pregnancy. It鈥檚 also linked, claims Professor Pickett, to consumerism. In unequal societies, she says, we鈥檙e more likely to want the branded watch or handbag. Then, as you鈥檒l hear, there鈥檚 the weird connection between inequality and female attraction to men鈥�.

Presented by David Edmonds
Produced by Ben Cooper

Image: John Cleese, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett in the Class Sketch from Frost Over England, 1967 (Credit: 大象传媒)

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10 minutes

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