The broken ladder

In 'The Broken Ladder,' Keith Payne explores the profound effects of inequality on human psychology and behavior.

He argues that the social comparisons we make can alter how we see the world, and that feeling poor, rather than just being poor, has significant consequences.

Payne blends personal observations with recent research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics to detail how inequality shapes our biases, habits, and ideas.

The book covers topics such as why people in poor societies often have more children, how inequality affects political beliefs and workplace performance, and how it influences stress levels and health outcomes.

Payne also discusses how inequality can lead to greater political divisions, higher rates of social maladies, and different moral perceptions of justice and fairness.