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The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions

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'The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions' by Jason Hickel delves into the topic of global inequality, shedding light on the stark disparities between the developed and developing world. Through a combination of economic analysis and historical context, the author challenges the conventional approach to development and offers viable solutions to address the pressing issues faced by society. The writing style is described as thought-provoking, eye-opening, and compelling, with the author skillfully weaving together narratives of past injustices and present realities to paint a comprehensive picture of the world's socio-economic landscape.

Writing/Prose:

The author's style is approachable and engaging, balancing critical analysis with motivational insights for readers from various backgrounds.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores global inequality, its historical roots, and the consequences of exploitative economic practices, aiming to reveal the systemic issues at play.

Setting:

The setting is broad, covering historical and contemporary contexts of global inequality and economic exploitation.

Pacing:

The pacing is consistent, effectively balancing in-depth analysis with compelling narrative flow to maintain reader interest.
It began as a public-relations gimmick. Harry Truman had just been elected to a second term as president of the United States and was set to take the stage for his inaugural address on 20 January 1949...

Notes:

Galloping consumerism threatens our survival and leads to resource depletion.
The planet is overwhelmed by landfill and toxic waste.
Climate change is a ticking timebomb linked to our consumption habits.
Hickel's book critiques the rigged economic system favoring the ultra wealthy.
The post-colonial era saw countries making progress until Western loans and policies reversed the gains.
Hickel proposes viable solutions like debt resistance and fair trade.
The IMF and World Bank often exploit developing nations under the guise of help.
Hickel argues that continuous growth is unsustainable on a finite planet.
The divide in global wealth was created and maintained through colonialism and economic manipulation.
Governments prioritize GDP growth even at the cost of environmental stability.

From The Publisher:

***As seen on Sky News All Out Politics*** '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.

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