Review: The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die

The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die by Keith Payne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Payne's is an insightful and useful book to consider in making sense of the rise of populism in the world today. There are several significant points that he brings to the table to discuss how inequality impacts out daily experiences and perceptions. One key piece that he highlights and drives home throughout the book is how increased inequality (and awareness of that inequality) decreases trust in the systems and trust in people. Societies (like the US) where the unequal incomes become increasingly extreme (such as CEOs making 400 times more than the front line employee) further destabilizes society. Coupled with this, he emphasizes that some in a society may feel like they are subject to inequality, even when they are not. This sense of inequality can often result in a more reactive society that seeks quick gains (illicitly or immorally) while also castigating long-term planning. The most fascinating issue unpacked is how those exist in impoverished conditions act rationally to the world they live in, even when those from middle or upper class do not believe so, particularly around their choices regarding consumption, saving (or absence of it), and what we argue are "healthy choices." The totality of Payne's research shows that how we often understand (and judge and make decisions) about our society are fueled by assumptions and misunderstandings about what inequality looks like and how it is experienced across the socio-economic spectrum.

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