The Divide

Synopsis

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'There's no understanding global inequality without understanding its history. In The Divide, Jason Hickel brilliantly lays it out, layer upon layer, until you are left reeling with the outrage of it all.' - Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut Economics

· The richest eight people control more wealth than the poorest half of the world combined.
· Today, 60 per cent of the world's population lives on less than $5 a day.
· Though global real GDP has nearly tripled since 1980, 1.1 billion more people are now living in poverty.

For decades we have been told a story: that development is working, that poverty is a natural phenomenon and will be eradicated through aid by 2030. But just because it is a comforting tale doesn't make it true. Poor countries are poor because they are integrated into the global economic system on unequal terms, and aid only helps to hide this.

Drawing on pioneering research and years of first-hand experience, The Divide tracks the evolution of global inequality - from the expeditions of Christopher Columbus to the present day - offering revelatory answers to some of humanity's greatest problems. It is a provocative, urgent and ultimately uplifting account of how the world works, and how it can change for the better.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Great Disconnect

* Explores the growing divide between liberals and conservatives, especially in the United States.
* Provides data showing increasing polarization and the erosion of trust in institutions.
* Example: A 2021 Pew Research Center study found that only 20% of Americans believe that the other party cares about their interests.

Chapter 2: The Rise of the Outrage Machine

* Discusses the role of social media and the 24-hour news cycle in fueling outrage and division.
* Highlights how algorithms push us into echo chambers, where we only encounter information that reinforces our existing beliefs.
* Example: A 2019 study by the University of California, Berkeley found that exposure to highly partisan content on Facebook increased negative attitudes towards the other political side.

Chapter 3: The Assault on Truth

* Examines the rise of fake news, conspiracy theories, and anti-intellectualism.
* Shows how these phenomena erode public trust and undermine the ability to have informed discussions.
* Example: A 2021 survey by the University of Chicago found that a majority of Americans believe that it is difficult to tell what news is real or not.

Chapter 4: The Politics of Fear

* Discusses how fear and anxiety are being exploited by political leaders to divide people and gain power.
* Highlights the use of fear tactics to demonize immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized groups.
* Example: The Trump administration's "zero tolerance" immigration policy, which resulted in the separation of thousands of children from their parents at the border.

Chapter 5: The Retreat from Empathy

* Explores the decline in empathy and compassion in society.
* Shows how social media and other factors contribute to a culture of self-righteousness and intolerance.
* Example: A 2016 study by the University of Michigan found that empathy has decreased significantly among American college students over the past 20 years.

Chapter 6: The Path Forward

* Offers a series of prescriptions to address the divide.
* Emphasizes the importance of listening to different perspectives, seeking truth, and fostering empathy.
* Example: The Braver Angels movement, which brings together people of different political viewpoints to have respectful discussions and build understanding.