Key facts
- Inequality has made culture clashes feel "existential," Zadie Smith said.
- Smith linked these divisions to the decline of the UK's welfare system.
- She stated that struggles with housing, jobs, and public services intensify these divisions.
- Smith advocated for a return to functional social democracy.
- She finished her debut novel, White Teeth, after a personal setback.
Novelist Zadie Smith told Dua Lipa that increased inequality has made cultural divisions feel "existential." In an interview for the Southbank Centre’s London literature festival, Smith argued that the erosion of the UK's welfare system has deepened societal divisions, making it difficult for individuals to access essential services like housing, healthcare, and education. Smith reflected on her own experiences and praised her state education, while also advocating for a renewed belief in social democracy. She also shared anecdotes about the writing process for her debut novel, "White Teeth," and discussed the importance of literary criticism.