Re: Apologetic.
> This just sounds like rubbish.
Yeah, I know, it is unintuitive, but it is the probably only really well-supported finding of socioeconomics ever.
You're right that first the basic necessities of life must be filled: income inequality in society means little until everyone has sufficient food and housing, but once they do it comes in to play. Even in poor countries like Cuba.
I refer to for instance Richard Wilkinson: https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_wilkinson