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Why Inequality Bothers People More Than Poverty

Namibian hunter-gatherers deride those who stand out. What does this tell us about why, and how, we care about fairness?

Jul 23, 2018 · 11 min read

Nyae-Nyae in northern Namibia is the last place in Namibia where Ju/‘hoansi are free to hunt in the traditional way. Photo: JOUAN/RIUS / Contributor/Getty Images

Nyae-Nyae in northern Namibia is the last place in Namibia where Ju/‘hoansi are free to hunt in the traditional way. Photo: JOUAN/RIUS / Contributor/Getty Images

By James Suzman

Selfish traits such as envy have a bad reputation. They are, after all, ‘deadly sins’, ‘impurities of the heart’ and, according to the Summa…

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