This is the first account of modern Western society which explains why it is good for us, and the whole world. In the last ten years there has been a torrent of writing which deplores the Western economic model and the ‘consumer society’. Will Hutton, George Monbiot, Joseph Stiglitz and many others have made their names accusing the neo-liberal world of brutalising the well-off and poor alike.

In Rich is Beautiful Richard D North takes on this assault and drawing on a huge range of material defends Western life. Where it fails, he says, it is because citizens fail in their manners and morals; they are not sufficiently grateful for the great advantages capitalism, industry, science and democracy have brought them. This book also addresses the latest complaints from soft-left liberals:

* that we are getting less happy as we get richer

* that we are suffering ‘status anxiety’.

* that we have too much choice.

Drawing on popular culture and much hard data too, North powerfully argues that the soft-left ‘liberal’ world of media, academia and politics have created much of the misery they blame on capitalism.

‘Logical yet impassioned, utterly politically incorrect yet splendidly right, Richard D North has broken one the great taboos of modern society in this inspiring, liberating book.’ Andrew Roberts

‘This book takes on an impossible task. It defends the greed and materialism of the present age and says that it is good, for everybody – what people used to call the “trickle down effect”, or what I called the “champagne fountain effect”! If you want to see the indefensible argued with vigour, Richard D North is your man. And he’s funny. He is our very own P J O’Rourke.’ Peter York

2005, Published by the SAU

ISBN 1-904 86502-7, 310pp, HB