(Wrote this 3rd April and intended to publish then, not sure what happened…

While i have not read the book (yet) i have read several reviews of a book called ‘The Spirit Level’, an examination of how the inequalities in society underlie all our social ills. For all the failed government initiatives, the authors state their belief, with supporting evidence, that all a government need do is to reduce income inequality.

Further, the book shows that the more equal the society the greater the proportion of their wealth (as individuals and at governmental level) is given as aid to developing countries. So this  will be of interest to charities exclusively or mainly giving aid outside the UK, In fact there is probably a consortium lobbying parliament even as i type.

Which made me thoughtful in terms of how charities can maximise their take ie how much dosh we can be persuaded to part with. One does not have to read the papers to have realised months back that both corporate and individual givers would reduce their donations to charity in response to the straightened times in which we all find ourselves. 

Now, circling back to the book, i am minded of a cliche in counselling/therapy speak, that one cannot give what one does not get. And the book says that the stress of poverty and low social status produces citizens who are poor at co-operation, sharing and reciprocity.  Yet even those stuck in that trap may have, in theory, disposable income (higer levels of smoking and drinking and spend on nutrition-free foods are well documented) . So how to target that? Tapping into such vestiges of altruism as remain may well relieve the less well-off of a modicum of cash, but if targeted in the right way can make the giver feel good, start a virtuous circle. A friend works with a charity for the homeless in the East End of London, and i was surprised at how much they raise given it’s size and local focus. So i would say that maybe if larger, national/international charities can emphasise the local implications of what they do, even those who might be viewed as too poor themselves may see their connection with the rest of the world and be ready to give.

If the fats cats are turning their backs on charity, surely the widows mite assumes greater importance?

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