Living Well at Others' Expense

Stephan Lessenich is Professor at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Germany, and former President of the German Sociological Association. He has held guest professorships at the Universities of Antwerp, Fribourg and St Gallen.

‘A timely sociological explication of the meaning of globalization in the North: living well at the expense of others.’Göran Therborn, University of Cambridge, author of Cities of Power and The Killing Fields of Inequality‘Lessenich, a leading German sociologist, has written an important new book on the dynamics of global inequality. His compelling and convincing theory of “externalization” illuminates how the affluent lifestyles and over-consumption of the rich few in the Global North exact their tolls outside its borders – at the expense of the many more in the Global South. This interconnection is not “natural” or “inevitable” but built into the very architecture of the world economy. That it is seemingly invisible to the wealthy birthright winners challenges our moral responsibilities to those left behind.’Timothy Patrick Moran, co-author of Unveiling Inequality: A World-Historical Perspective“A disturbing evaluation of global inequality, both a sociological analysis and a moral plea. Lessenich points to an uncomfortable truth in reminding us that the wealth of the few is not merely the result of hard work or economic productivity, but rests decisively on their strategic position in the global economy.”Deutschlandfunk“Stephan Lessenich confronts us with a reality we would prefer to ignore, one that will either force us to change the way we live or weigh on our consciences if we don’t.”Frankfurter Rundschau“This book may make for troubling reading as it sweeps away our illusions, yet at the same time it provides much-needed clarity on key issues. One of the most important books this year.”Süddeutsche Zeitung“Sets out boldly to confront forgetting”Times Higher Education'This important book, by pointing to the deep and systemic nature of our current malaise, might just move us towards the collective, and empathic, action required [for a more just and environmentally sustainable world]. There really is no “us” and “them” any more.'The Irish Times'Living Well at Others’ Expense unveils the social dynamics of the global village as a “zero-sum game”. The high living standards of some are only sustainable through the suffering and degradation of most others.'Resurgence & Ecologist

• 1 Next to Us, the Deluge 12 Externalization: A Rational Perspective on Social Inequality 193 Live and Let Die: Externalization as an Unequal Exchange 544 Within versus Without: Externalization as a Monopoly on Mobility 925 We Have To Talk: We Can't Go On Like This 127Acknowledgements 155Notes 158Bibliography 172