Richard Wilkinson: How economic inequality harms societies
youtube.com
youtube.com
Strong correlation between income inequality within nations [1] and a number of measures that measure 'wellbeing of society' (life expectancy, education, crime, health, trust and aggregate measures). Plotting these measures against the GDP per person (richness of nation) shows weak or no correlation.
Bottom line: More unequal societies have more social problems.
[1] ratio between wealth of top 20% and wealth of bottom 20%.
EDIT: economic problems -> social problems in bottom line
I was very impressed with the talk. This has got some fairly epic ramifications for politics e.g. under this theory progressive taxes could make you better off even if they just buried the money in a big hole and set it alight. (Though he notes that you don't need regressive taxation to get this benefit, just equality by whatever means)
And since that kind of policy outcome will trigger the same old arguments I'd recommend that anyone intending to comment watch the actual 15 minute lecture first. It's thought-provoking wherever you find yourself on the political map with lots of potential for discussion that doesn't re-tread the same old arguments you've heard a thousand times before.
(edited for clarity)
I realise now that it's got a completely different tone if you read it as a response to you. I will edit if it lets me.