Head Hand Heart: The Struggle for Dignity and Status in the 21st Century
by David Goodhart
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Description
A leading political analyst looks at the imbalanced distribution of status and work in Western societies and how it devalues qualities such as character, compassion, craft and physical labor in favor of intellectual endeavors. "The coronavirus pandemic revealed what we ought to have already known: that nurses, caregivers, supermarket workers, delivery drivers, cleaners, and so many others are essential. Until recently, this work was largely regarded as menial by the same society that now show more lauds them as heroes. How did we get here? In his groundbreaking follow-up to the bestselling The Road to Somewhere, David Goodhart divides society into people who work with their Heads (cognitive work), with their Hands (manual work), or with their Hearts (caring work), and considers each group's changing status and influence. Today, the "the best and the brightest" trump the "decent and hardworking." Qualities like character, compassion, craft, and physical labor command far less respect in our workforce. This imbalance has led to the disaffection and alienation of millions of people. David Goodhart reveals the untold history behind this disparity and outlines the challenges we face as a result. Cognitive ability has become the gold standard of human esteem, and those in the cognitive class now shape society largely in their own interest. To put it bluntly: smart people have become too powerful. A healthy democratic society respects and rewards a broad range of achievement, and provides meaning and value for people who cannot--or do not want to--achieve in the classroom and professional career market. We must shift our thinking to see all workers as essential, and not just during crises like the coronavirus pandemic. This is the dramatic story of the struggle for status and dignity in the 21st century." -- Provided by publisher. show lessTags
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Author Information
11 Works 294 Members
David Goodhart is the author of the bestselling The Road to Somewhere: The Populist Revolt and the Future of Politics, Goodhart leads the demography unit for the Policy Exchange think tank. His book The British Dream: Successes and Failures of Post-War Immigration was runner-up for the Orwell Prize.
Awards and Honors
Distinctions
The Guardian Book of the Day (2020-09-09)
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Head Hand Heart: The Struggle for Dignity and Status in the 21st Century
- Original publication date
- 2020
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Sociology, General Nonfiction, Politics and Government
- DDC/MDS
- 306.36 — Society, government, & culture Social sciences, sociology & anthropology Social Behavior - Dating, Marriage, Divorce Economic institutions Systems of labor
- LCC
- HD4905 .G66 — Social sciences Industries. Land use. Labor Industries. Land use. Labor Labor. Work. Working class
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 51
- Popularity
- 591,887
- Rating
- (3.30)
- Languages
- English, French, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 3
