Zadie Smith tells Dua Lipa inequality has made culture clashes feel ‘existential’

Novelist Zadie Smith recently discussed the impact of socioeconomic inequality on contemporary social tensions during a conversation with Dua Lipa. Smith argued that the erosion of the British welfare system and ongoing challenges in the housing market have exacerbated societal divisions, transforming cultural disagreements into perceived existential threats.

According to Smith, these economic pressures have fostered a climate of mutual suspicion among citizens. She noted that the current environment makes it increasingly common for individuals to view those around them with hostility, suggesting that structural instability has fundamentally altered the nature of public discourse and interpersonal relations.