Comments on: Speech to Liberal Democrat conference on inequality http://socialliberal.net/2010/05/16/speech-to-liberal-democrat-conference-on-inequality/ Mon, 14 May 2012 12:08:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Is Nick Clegg ditching his own principles on inequality? | Liberal Conspiracy http://socialliberal.net/2010/05/16/speech-to-liberal-democrat-conference-on-inequality/comment-page-1/#comment-4962 Is Nick Clegg ditching his own principles on inequality? | Liberal Conspiracy Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:11:37 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=412#comment-4962 [...] I have to admit that, until a few months ago, I thought that Liberal Democrats did care about income inequality (indeed, even the Conservatives were claiming that they now “got” the [...] [...] I have to admit that, until a few months ago, I thought that Liberal Democrats did care about income inequality (indeed, even the Conservatives were claiming that they now “got” the [...]

]]> By: Social Liberal Forum » Did the budget meet my tests?: http://socialliberal.net/2010/05/16/speech-to-liberal-democrat-conference-on-inequality/comment-page-1/#comment-2479 Social Liberal Forum » Did the budget meet my tests?: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:49:08 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=412#comment-2479 [...] not be passed onto people paying the higher rate of tax, something which we argued for at both the special conference and in our letter to Nick Clegg and Danny [...] [...] not be passed onto people paying the higher rate of tax, something which we argued for at both the special conference and in our letter to Nick Clegg and Danny [...]

]]> By: Niklas Smith http://socialliberal.net/2010/05/16/speech-to-liberal-democrat-conference-on-inequality/comment-page-1/#comment-2146 Niklas Smith Mon, 17 May 2010 18:13:55 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=412#comment-2146 A stirring speech, and one I sympathise with. But I have to disagree on one point: <i>The case that equality does not just benefit the poor but decreases a whole host of social problems and is even of benefit to the wealthy has been comprehensively made by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett in their book The Spirit Level.</i> It has been made comprehensively, but by using the wrong methods so they shouldn't draw the inference that reducing inequality would reduce the social ills they refer to. I have explained the problems with their methods here: http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-support-the-equality-pledge-18694.html#comment-113827 and here: http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-support-the-equality-pledge-18694.html#comment-114018 (with further links if you're interested). A stirring speech, and one I sympathise with.

But I have to disagree on one point: The case that equality does not just benefit the poor but decreases a whole host of social problems and is even of benefit to the wealthy has been comprehensively made by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett in their book The Spirit Level.

It has been made comprehensively, but by using the wrong methods so they shouldn’t draw the inference that reducing inequality would reduce the social ills they refer to.

I have explained the problems with their methods here: http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-support-the-equality-pledge-18694.html#comment-113827 and here: http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-support-the-equality-pledge-18694.html#comment-114018 (with further links if you’re interested).

]]> By: Orange Book in hot demand « Freethinking Economist http://socialliberal.net/2010/05/16/speech-to-liberal-democrat-conference-on-inequality/comment-page-1/#comment-2145 Orange Book in hot demand « Freethinking Economist Mon, 17 May 2010 12:39:35 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=412#comment-2145 [...] is certainly missing is the overriding emphasis on reducing inequality that James called for in his speech yesterday.  James writes: Delivering the Hugo Young lecture last November, David Cameron astounded many in [...] [...] is certainly missing is the overriding emphasis on reducing inequality that James called for in his speech yesterday.  James writes: Delivering the Hugo Young lecture last November, David Cameron astounded many in [...]

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