The Jackpod: Gouged

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.