Up The Down Escalator: Why The Global Pessimists Are Wrong

Chronic pessimism is taking over our lives. From environmental disasters to the dumbing down of culture, cynicism is very much "in vogue". But it's becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, as the doom mongers drive us into a state of apathy.

Here, Charles Leadbeater challenges the "Pessimist Alliance", stating that there are more than enough reasons for optimism in the modern world: we are living longer, healthier and richer lives; education is improving; politicians are more accountable; and continued scientific and technological innovation allows economic growth to go hand in hand with environmental protection. Globalisation, he argues, has in fact not gone too far and in order to correct problems of poverty and inequality it needs to progress still further.