

#4361
Mentioned in 6 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 6 episodes
Recommended by ![undefined]()

for its insights into economic inequality and its political implications.

William Bernstein

14 snips
William Bernstein - “The More Comfortable You Are Buying Something, in General, the Worse the Investment It's Going to Be"
Mentioned by 

in the context of societal inequality and the need for levelers.


Ian Bremmer

12 snips
The AI War Ahead: The Next Global SuperPower Isn't Who You Think | Ian Bremmer PT 2
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as one of 

's books.

Patrick Wyman


Walter Scheidel

On Ancient History and Our Shared Heritage: Interview with Professor Walter Scheidel
Mentioned by 

when discussing the role of violence in wealth redistribution throughout history.


Leeja Miller

Are We Allowed to Laugh When A CEO Dies?
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a brilliant but depressing book about the forces that have destroyed inequality in human history.

Waleed Moore

#1690 Oligarchy Unmasked: Why Billionaires Hate Democracy and How They're Dismantling It
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, discussing its argument that extreme inequality has only been reduced through violent shocks.

David Goldstein

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 

, discussing the historical impact of war and revolution on inequality.


Walter Scheidel

#5 Die Geschichte der Schere zwischen Arm und Reich: Walter Scheidel
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book exploring the history of inequality and the role of violence.

Paul Pierson

How inequality and white identity politics feed each other
Mentioned by 

as a book exploring the history of inequality and the role of violence in reducing it.


Ezra Klein

Fareed Zakaria on how Biden and Trump see the world
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when discussing how inequality has fallen in the past, only through social catastrophes.

Suresh Naidu

84 | Suresh Naidu on Capitalism, Monopsony, and Inequality
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in relation to his discussion of wealth inequality with ![undefined]()

.

Chris Kaufman

Johan Norberg

55. Johan Norberg - The Capitalist Manifesto