Professor Kate Pickett, the renowned epidemiologist and co-author of the seminal work The Spirit Level, officially launched her latest book, The Good Society, in a high-profile online event on February 4, 2026. Organized in collaboration with the political organization Compass, the virtual launch featured an influential panel of social and environmental advocates, including Baroness Ruth Lister, environmental journalist George Monbiot, and Green Party Member of Parliament Caroline Lucas. The event, which drew an audience of over 500 participants, served as a platform for a comprehensive discussion on the structural changes required to address the compounding crises of inequality, environmental degradation, and social fragmentation.
The publication of The Good Society marks a significant milestone in Professor Pickett’s career, which has been dedicated to documenting the corrosive effects of income inequality on public health and social cohesion. Since co-founding the Equality Trust in 2009, Pickett has been a leading voice in the movement to treat economic inequality as a public health emergency. The launch event underscored the continued relevance of her research, emphasizing that the quest for a more equitable society is not merely a moral imperative but a functional necessity for modern governance.
Chronology of the Event and the Equality Movement
The launch of The Good Society is the culmination of nearly two decades of research and advocacy by Professor Pickett and her long-term collaborator, Professor Richard Wilkinson. The timeline of this movement provides essential context for the themes explored in the new book:
- 2009: Publication of The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better. This book provided empirical evidence that countries with narrower gaps between rich and poor enjoy better health, lower crime rates, and higher levels of trust.
- 2009: Founding of The Equality Trust. Professor Pickett helped establish this UK-based charity to advocate for a significant reduction in income and wealth inequality.
- 2018: Publication of The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone’s Well-being. This work shifted the focus toward the psychological impacts of inequality, such as status anxiety and social phobia.
- 2020–2024: The global pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis exacerbated existing inequalities, leading to a resurgence of interest in Pickett’s research.
- February 4, 2026: The official launch of The Good Society, positioning the debate within the context of post-pandemic recovery and the escalating climate crisis.
During the launch, the discussion transitioned from a historical overview of the equality movement to a forward-looking analysis of how the principles outlined in the book could be implemented in current policy frameworks.
Expert Perspectives: A Multi-Disciplinary Panel
The guest list for the event reflected the intersectional nature of Professor Pickett’s work, bringing together experts from the fields of social policy, environmentalism, and legislative reform.
Baroness Ruth Lister, a prominent academic and member of the House of Lords, focused her remarks on the intersection of poverty and dignity. She argued that "the good society" is one where social security is viewed as a fundamental human right rather than a safety net of last resort. Lister highlighted that the current socioeconomic model often stigmatizes those at the lower end of the income spectrum, a phenomenon Pickett’s research has shown to have devastating effects on social trust.
George Monbiot, a leading environmental columnist and author, addressed the ecological dimensions of the book. Monbiot argued that the pursuit of infinite growth in a finite world is inherently incompatible with social stability. He emphasized that extreme wealth inequality drives hyper-consumption among the elite, which in turn accelerates climate change. For Monbiot, The Good Society provides a necessary blueprint for "private sufficiency and public luxury," a concept where communal resources are prioritized over individual accumulation.
Caroline Lucas, representing the Green Party, discussed the political barriers to achieving the vision outlined by Pickett. Lucas pointed to the need for electoral reform and a move away from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the primary measure of national success. She suggested that the data presented in Pickett’s work provides the intellectual ammunition needed to challenge neoliberal orthodoxy in Parliament.
Supporting Data: The Case for Greater Equality
The arguments presented in The Good Society are underpinned by a wealth of statistical data that Professor Pickett has curated over years of study. According to recent reports from the World Inequality Lab and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), wealth concentration has reached levels not seen since the early 20th century.
Data points frequently cited during the discussion include:
- Health and Social Gradients: In societies with high income inequality, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, life expectancy is lower and infant mortality is higher compared to more equal societies like Japan or the Scandinavian nations.
- Social Mobility: Research indicates a strong correlation between high inequality and low social mobility. In "The Good Society," Pickett argues that the "American Dream" is more attainable in Denmark than in the U.S., as parental income is a much stronger predictor of child outcomes in unequal nations.
- Crime and Violence: Cross-national studies show that homicide rates are consistently higher in more unequal countries. This is attributed to the erosion of social capital and the increased prevalence of status-driven conflict.
- Economic Stability: IMF research has suggested that high levels of inequality can lead to economic instability and shorter periods of growth, as low-income households struggle to invest in education and health.
Professor Pickett noted during the event that over 500 attendees joined the call, signaling a growing public appetite for evidence-based solutions to these systemic issues.
Broader Impact and Policy Implications
The Good Society is not merely a theoretical exercise; it is intended to influence the legislative agendas of global governments. The book advocates for a series of structural reforms designed to redistribute power and resources more equitably.
Wealth and Inheritance Taxes
One of the primary policy implications discussed was the implementation of progressive wealth taxes. As capital gains and asset values have outpaced wage growth in recent years, Pickett argues that taxing accumulated wealth is essential to funding the public services—such as healthcare and education—that form the backbone of a stable society.
Workplace Democracy
The book also explores the concept of democratic ownership and employee representation on corporate boards. By giving workers a stake in the decision-making processes of their companies, Pickett suggests that the gap between executive pay and worker wages can be naturally curtailed, reducing the need for post-hoc redistribution through the tax system.
The Universal Basic Services (UBS) Model
Unlike Universal Basic Income (UBI), which provides cash transfers, the Good Society framework leans toward Universal Basic Services. This model prioritizes the provision of free or low-cost essential services—including transport, internet access, and social care—ensuring that a dignified standard of living is decoupled from market participation.
Official Responses and Reactions
The launch has prompted reactions from various political and academic circles. Supporters of the book, including members of the Equality Trust and the Compass network, have hailed it as a "manual for the next decade of social reform." They argue that Pickett’s ability to synthesize complex epidemiological data into actionable policy advice is unique in the field of social science.
However, the book has also faced scrutiny from proponents of market-led growth. Some critics argue that the focus on equality may come at the expense of innovation and economic competitiveness. They contend that wealth concentration is a natural byproduct of a meritocratic system and that efforts to artificially compress income scales could lead to capital flight.
In response to such criticisms, the Compass organization released a statement following the event: "The evidence provided by Professor Pickett is undeniable. We are no longer debating whether inequality is harmful; we are now debating how quickly we can dismantle the structures that perpetuate it. The Good Society provides the roadmap we have been waiting for."
Conclusion: Toward a New Social Contract
The online launch of The Good Society concludes a chapter of research and begins a new phase of advocacy for Professor Kate Pickett and her supporters. By bringing together voices from the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the forefront of environmental activism, the event demonstrated a unified front in the call for a new social contract.
As the global community faces the dual challenges of climate change and economic instability, the themes of Pickett’s work—trust, community, and fairness—are positioned as the essential ingredients for a sustainable future. The high attendance and engagement levels at the launch suggest that the message of The Good Society is resonating with a public increasingly disillusioned with the status quo. The book is now available via Penguin and other major retailers, with several international speaking tours and policy workshops expected to follow throughout 2026.
