Book review: Affluenza, Oliver James
James proposes that people worldwide (but especially in English-speaking countries) have become obsessed with measuring ourselves and others in terms of earnings, possessions, appearances and celebrity. These values are nothing new in and of themselves, he says, but since the 1970s, they have spread through world culture; now they are actually getting in the way of our meeting our real (emotional) needs. James is an entertaining writer and his case studies of affluenza around the world make absorbing reading. So does his polemic at the end of the book, even if you don't totally agree with it.
However, as a particularly numerate reviewer pointed out in The Times,
James's argument rests on “a strong and statistically significant linear Pearson correlation between the prevalence of any emotional distress and income inequality”. In other words, in countries where there is high inequality, there appear to be high levels of emotional distress. James uses this statistical relationship to go further than other “happiness” theorists. Where they argue that greater prosperity has not produced greater levels of happiness, he argues that what he calls “selfish capitalism” has produced inequality and, through it, mental illness.
Correlation is not causation, though, and it's worth keeping this in mind.
Well worth a look, but prepare to keep an open mind and be challenged by many of James's assertions.
However, as a particularly numerate reviewer pointed out in The Times,
James's argument rests on “a strong and statistically significant linear Pearson correlation between the prevalence of any emotional distress and income inequality”. In other words, in countries where there is high inequality, there appear to be high levels of emotional distress. James uses this statistical relationship to go further than other “happiness” theorists. Where they argue that greater prosperity has not produced greater levels of happiness, he argues that what he calls “selfish capitalism” has produced inequality and, through it, mental illness.
Correlation is not causation, though, and it's worth keeping this in mind.
Well worth a look, but prepare to keep an open mind and be challenged by many of James's assertions.