#17329
Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Great Leveler
Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the 21st Century
Book • 2017
Walter Scheidel's "The Great Leveler" examines the historical relationship between violence and inequality.
The book argues that significant reductions in inequality have almost always been preceded by large-scale violent events.
Scheidel identifies four key factors—mass-mobilization warfare, transformative revolutions, state collapse, and pandemics—as the primary drivers of wealth redistribution.
He analyzes various historical periods, demonstrating how these catastrophic events have reshaped societal structures and wealth distribution.
The book challenges conventional wisdom about economic development and inequality, suggesting that peaceful progress alone is insufficient to address deep-seated economic disparities.
The book argues that significant reductions in inequality have almost always been preceded by large-scale violent events.
Scheidel identifies four key factors—mass-mobilization warfare, transformative revolutions, state collapse, and pandemics—as the primary drivers of wealth redistribution.
He analyzes various historical periods, demonstrating how these catastrophic events have reshaped societal structures and wealth distribution.
The book challenges conventional wisdom about economic development and inequality, suggesting that peaceful progress alone is insufficient to address deep-seated economic disparities.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 5 episodes
Recommended by William Bernstein for its insights into economic inequality and its political implications.
14 snips
William Bernstein - “The More Comfortable You Are Buying Something, in General, the Worse the Investment It's Going to Be"
Mentioned by 
Leeja Miller when discussing the role of violence in wealth redistribution throughout history.
Leeja Miller when discussing the role of violence in wealth redistribution throughout history.
Are We Allowed to Laugh When A CEO Dies?
Mentioned by Waleed Moore as a brilliant but depressing book about the forces that have destroyed inequality in human history.
#1690 Oligarchy Unmasked: Why Billionaires Hate Democracy and How They're Dismantling It
Mentioned by David Goldstein , discussing its argument that extreme inequality has only been reduced through violent shocks.
Back to Basics Series: Why do we call it Pitchfork Economics? (with Ganesh Sitaraman & Walter Scheidel)
Mentioned by Julia Fink as a new book by 
Walter Scheidel , discussing the historical impact of war and revolution on inequality.
Walter Scheidel , discussing the historical impact of war and revolution on inequality.
#5 Die Geschichte der Schere zwischen Arm und Reich: Walter Scheidel
Mentioned by 
Ezra Klein as a book exploring the history of inequality and the role of violence in reducing it.
Ezra Klein as a book exploring the history of inequality and the role of violence in reducing it.
Fareed Zakaria on how Biden and Trump see the world
Mentioned by Suresh Naidu when discussing how inequality has fallen in the past, only through social catastrophes.
84 | Suresh Naidu on Capitalism, Monopsony, and Inequality
