The psychologist Oliver James looks at the modern world and tries to answer the conundrum;

“Why is it that despite the Western World being materially richer than it has ever been before, the middle classes are suffering from high rates of depression, anxiety, addiction and ennui?”

He examines the problem in different Capitalist cultures from the UK  and USA, to Denmark, Singapore, New Zealand and Russia.

Refreshingly he not only identifies the problem, he offers solutions for a cure on a personal level.  He also invokes a political manifesto at the end of the book, which he admits has not a hope in Hell of ever being implemented! 

The Western World as a whole is gripped by a capitalist fervour where economic growth is the received wisdom.  Oliver James questions this, not only on a ‘green’ ecological basis, but also on a personal psychological front.

If we constantly have to consume, to get bigger houses, better cars, the latest computer and mobile phone, we have to work ever harder to fund these purchases. We end up living just to pay the massive mortgage, caused by the UK’s unhealthy obsession with property. 

Oliver James wonders why it is that if we have a house to live in, we need a bigger and better house, in a more fashionable neighbourhood? If we have already have a car that works perfectly OK, do we really need a new one?

Unfortunately James concludes that status is being sought though material possessions.

We have become possessed by our possessions. This is neither healthy or desirable. If we can free ourselves from ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ ,we have taken a step towards personal freedom and happiness.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to look at the society we live in from a fresh angle.

John McNally