The Great Leveler

"The Great Leveler" by Walter Scheidel explores the long history of economic inequality, revealing that it has rarely decreased without violent upheaval such as warfare, revolutions, or plagues. Scheidel demonstrates how these catastrophic events have repeatedly disrupted wealth and power, contrasting with periods of peace and stability that tend to increase inequality. As violence plays a critical role in reducing economic disparity, the book offers provocative insights into the persistent and complex nature of inequality throughout human history.