...increasing anxieties about how we are seen and what others think of us...has in turn produced a kind of defensive attempt to shore up our confidence in the face of those insecurities. The defense involves a kind of self-promoting, insecure egotism which is easily mistaken for high self-esteem.
...
People with insecure high self-esteem tend to be insensitive to others and to show an excessive preoccupation with themselves, with success, and with their image and appearance in the eyes of others.
- Richard Wilkinson and Kate Picket, The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger
I've always been a proponent for moving towards more equal societies and will always vote, politically, on the side of equality but I think it's important for people to study and understand thoroughly why they believe what they do. I don't think it's ever enough for someone to say "This is what I believe, just because I do, and I think you should think this way too."
4 comments:
For there to be equality in society (in general) would be almost impossible. I don't mean to be pessimistic, but there will always be people who believe they are above everyone else, and people being taken advantage of, etc. And its very interesting that there is something like "insecure high self esteem". Great post :)
love,
lasenoritadaisy.blogspot.com
@Daisy -
Yes for sure, there will always be people who BELIEVE they are above one or another group of people. But the book isn't really about socially constructed prejudices or perceptions; it takes statistics for social problems - violence, mental health, disease, infant mortality, etc - and puts those numbers against economic (financial) inequality in 20 "developed societies" as well as the 50 American states. All of the studies show that greater inequality - that is a greater distance between the very rich and the very poor; the highest incomes and lowest incomes - invariably leads to a rise in any given number of social problems. I wish it was more comprehensive, but it's still fairly insightful!
Sis, I just want to say that your posts makes me smile. There aren't enough socially conscious, *thoughtful* bloggers on these here internets. I'm glad I know you.
I love your way of thinking. Keep doing what you're doing!
xx. http://livingafashionablelife.blogspot.com
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