Unequal: How extreme inequality is damaging democracy, and what we can do about it

by David Buckham, Robyn Wilkinson, Christiaan Straeuli

‘Twenty-first-century capitalism and the democracies that enabled it are self-destructing... a sobering — and impeccably researched — warning of what is likely to come next’ Bruce WhitfieldThe leading lights of the tech revolution – Gates, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Musk – have been hailed as savants and saviours of the modern age. And yet they are at the forefront of wealth inequality not seen since the heyday of the robber barons in the late 19th century, part of the slide to the First World War. Today, rampant inequality is inciting social unrest and undermining faith in the institutions of the democratic state. Citizens have been left at the mercy of unfettered capitalism – mere data subjects, endlessly surveilled, marshalled and increasingly angry and polarised.

The decoupling of capitalism from democracy has fostered an economic system seemingly powered by greed alone, with the marginalisation of democratic principles facilitating the rise of authoritarians and populists like Putin, Xi Jinping, Trump and Boris Johnson.

How has it come to this? And does the unanticipated fightback in Ukraine, with support from the West, show us the way to reclaiming the lost spirit of freedom inherent in liberal democracy?

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2023

Reviews

[Tim Richman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must declare my interest here, having helped produce this book – but in saying that, I almost never give ratings or reviews for books I have been involved in. That Unequal is one of the exceptions to that rule is an indication of its superb quality. My short assessment:

Unequal is a rare book - an interrogation of modern capitalism and a wide-ranging assessment of the complex world we live in today that reads remarkably easily and offers genuine a-ha insights. In pulling together seemingly disparate strands of finance, economics, culture, ideology and geopolitics, it leaves the reader with a greater understanding of why things are the way they are.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This insightful and well researched book offers a sobering warning about the future of our society. It analyzes the decoupling of capitalism from democracy, the role of tech leaders in creating wealth inequality, and the rise of authoritarians and populists. Despite the challenging topics, the book provides a glimmer of hope by examining the unanticipated fightback in Ukraine. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the intersection of politics, economics, and society.

[Graeme McKane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that provides fascinating and well-researched insights into the current financial and political climate, as well as providing a glimpse of how today's issues will affect us in the future.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half was interesting and great storytelling especially how the author intertwines the creation of big tech. The latter half seems disconnected from the first half and most of the time they seem off topics and come across as public criticism of certain economists. 3.5 rounded up.

[Lara-Jayne Lauryssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extensively researched and very well written book. Outlines and provides a gripping perspective on the reality of todays modern world.

[Patricia Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Not sure how I found this book but I loved it. Lots of information but it’s pretty easy to follow.