Kate Pickett's Call for a Radical Rethink of UK Society
In her compelling new work, The Good Society, acclaimed social epidemiologist Kate Pickett delivers a powerful examination of the deepening inequality crisis across Britain. Drawing from extensive research, Pickett presents a sobering collection of facts that underscore the urgent need for transformative social change.
The Stark Reality of Modern Britain
Pickett's analysis reveals disturbing trends that have developed over recent decades. Preventive services for families saw a dramatic 25% reduction in funding during the decade leading up to the pandemic. Even more concerning is the statistic that half of all children born in Liverpool during 2009-2010 required referral to children's services before reaching five years old.
The situation for children with disabilities appears particularly dire, with English local authorities providing just 6% of necessary childcare places in 2023-24. Pickett emphasises this shocking figure is not a typographical error but reflects the genuine scale of systemic failure.
From The Spirit Level to The Good Society
Pickett first gained international recognition through her groundbreaking 2009 collaboration with Richard Wilkinson, The Spirit Level. That influential work demonstrated how societies with greater inequality consistently experience poorer health outcomes, reduced social cohesion, and diminished human capital development, regardless of overall wealth.
Following this success, Pickett and Wilkinson published The Inner Level in 2018, exploring how inequality-induced chronic stress damages psychological wellbeing. Now, in her solo work The Good Society, Pickett synthesises vast research while proposing ambitious solutions to Britain's interconnected crises.
A Comprehensive Blueprint for Change
Pickett argues persuasively that incremental adjustments cannot address the scale of current challenges. "We can't afford to nibble at the edges" of crises in care, climate, and inequality, she asserts, advocating instead for wholesale transformation of Britain's social fabric.
Her evidence-based proposals include:
- Implementing a universal basic income to establish dignity and autonomy
- Introducing participatory budgeting systems similar to those in Brazil
- Establishing progressive taxation reforms
- Creating citizen assemblies to enhance democratic participation
- Strengthening trade union representation across sectors
Pickett also proposes establishing a National Institute for Social Change, modelled on NICE, to rigorously assess social policies for effectiveness and cost-efficiency. She advocates for comprehensive National Care and Education Services built on NHS principles.
International Inspiration and Domestic Disappointment
The book draws inspiration from international examples where different approaches have yielded positive results. Finland's education system prioritises wellbeing and curiosity over standardised knowledge acquisition. The Netherlands has successfully reduced prison populations by 40% through rehabilitation-focused policies rather than punitive approaches.
Pickett expresses disappointment with the current government's cautious approach despite their substantial mandate. "I'm disappointed that having come in with such a large majority and a wave of support, that they haven't been more visionary and bold", she states, citing delayed action on issues like the two-child benefit limit that pushed families into poverty.
The Power of Narrative and Evidence
Pickett emphasises that political leaders must combine compelling stories with robust statistics to build public support for transformative change. "The evidence is really powerful", she notes, pointing to research showing how even modest household income increases can extend life expectancy by months.
She identifies what she terms "lifestyle drift" in public health discourse - the tendency to blame individuals for systemic problems while ignoring contextual factors that shape outcomes. True progress requires creating supportive environments that enable healthy choices and flourishing lives.
A Society Ready for Change
Despite the scale of challenges, Pickett detects growing public appetite for meaningful reform. "People are quite thirsty. They're thirsty for hope", she observes, suggesting that bold leadership could mobilise widespread support for creating a genuinely good society.
Her work challenges the assumption that current arrangements represent inevitable reality, arguing instead that much of what appears immutable reflects ideological choices. By examining international alternatives and presenting compelling evidence, The Good Society makes a powerful case for reimagining Britain's social contract.
Pickett's vision represents both critique and constructive proposal - a detailed roadmap toward creating a fairer, less stressed, and more compassionate society that addresses inequality at its roots rather than merely managing its symptoms.
