Envy: A Theory of Social Behavior

Helmut Schoeck is known mainly to libertarians as the co-editor of a series of books published under the sponsorship of the William Volker Fund some years ago. Envy, his most important work to date, is a remarkable and definitive study of the phenomenon of envy as a political, social and psychological occurrence.

It is strange that this phenomenon, obviously basic and important to man's relationship with other men in society, has received relatively few treatments in theoretical studies. Perhaps this is because before the 19th century, the "Old Order" had a vested interest in not letting its privileged status be discussed openly, and in the 20th century a great many social and political movements—such as socialism—are, in fact, based on envy and do not want to see the subject discussed since envy tends to be hidden and repressed once it is spotted. And this would tend to be to the detriment of the "New Order" of national socialism under its various guises.

But Helmut Schoeck, in this innovative study, has singlehandedly filled the gap. The scholarship and wealth of detail in this book are staggering.

Schoeck discusses envy from virtually every perspective and in every context imaginable. Among the topics covered in his 22 chapters are: Man the Envier, Envy in Language, Envy and Black Magic, The Envious Man and His Culture, The Envy-Barrier of the Developing Countries, The Psychology of Envy, Envy and the Social Sciences, Crime and Envy, Envy in Fiction, Envy and Philosophy, Politics and the Appeasement of Envy, The Guilt of Being Unequal, The Eminent in the Society of Equals, Is Ownership Theft?, Social Indignation, Envy as Tax Collector, Social Revolutions and A Theory of Envy in Human Existence.

In every chapter Schoeck provides a richly documented survey of the role of envy in a field of study or aspect of human existence. He discusses the various ways in which envy can be manifested, how it motivates political movements, how superior men are made to feel guilty and many, many other topics equally interesting and imaginative.

This book is especially valuable for its linking of modern collectivist movements with envy and for having brought this vitally important topic "out of the closet." A rewarding book, Envy is one of the most important products in the field of social psychology to emerge in decades. Schoeck has a great mind and all libertarians should look forward eagerly to his future works in this and other fields.

Reviewed by R.A. CHILDS, JR. / Psychology (408 pages, indexed) / BFL Price $3.95