Implications of the Big Society for Community Development
Explore the concept of the Big Society introduced by Prime Minister David Cameron, focusing on community engagement, redistribution of power, and critics' perspectives. The Big Society Bank, key figures, and main themes are discussed, along with recent developments and influences shaping this initiative.
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Presentation Transcript
The Big Society: the implications for community development Professor Keith Popple FACE Conference 29thJune 2011
The Big Society My great passion is building the Big Society. It s about people setting up great new schools. Charities working to rehabilitate offenders. It s about the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power from the elites in Whitehall to the man and woman on the street...this is such a powerful idea for blindingly obvious reasons...if it unleashes community engagement we should do it. Prime Minister David Cameron, 19thJuly 2010
Some of the critics (1) Leader of the Labour Party in Liverpool Director of Community Service Volunteers
Some of the critics (2) Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury Staci Beevor, youth worker Witney
The Big Society (1) The Big Society Bank Big Society czar was Lord Wei who has since resigned At cabinet level Francis Maud MP is responsible
The Big Society (2) Locality new nationwide network of community led organisations 5,000 community organisers (500 full-time 4,500 part-time and voluntary organisers). Training to take place from April 2011-March 2015
Main themes More freedom to exercise judgement New approaches to accountability Greater efficiency and lower cost
Is it new? Derives from Cameron s reactivation of moral responsibility, mutuality and obligation. Attempt to address Broken society Both Blair (with the Third Way ) and Cameron have stressed opportunity (now increasingly associated with enterprise), inclusion and choice Cameron has been influenced by Philip Blond when developing his idea of the Big Society
What has happened recently (1)? Mervyn King (Governor of the Bank of England) states the recession is due to the banks and the financial sector. Why do banks in general want to pay bonuses? Answer: they know if they get into difficulties the state will bail them out
What has happened recently (2) Financial restraint in the public sector, cuts in benefit levels, and reduction in support for LA s Increase in tax levels e.g. 20% VAT Increased unemployment now at 7.7% (23.3% 16-24 year olds). Annual inflation in May 4.5% Economic growth at 1.7%
Will the Big Society work? Does it attempt to tackle inequalities and social divisions? Will strategies of inclusion and localism become subordinate to the management of highly differentiated and socially divided populations What will be the role of community development and the welfare state?
What does community development do? Help people see they have common concerns Help people work together on those concerns Support and develop networking Promote values Empower Advise and inform
Community development outcomes Reduction in isolation and alienation Increase in social capital, participation and collaboration Increase in confidence More effective voice for a community Improvement in the conditions in the locality Improvement in delivery of public services Raised awareness of social, economic and political systems and power
Opportunities for community development Fresh look at everything Clarify vagueness Change can be energising People want to make changes Possible new funding streams
Challenges for community development Reduction in funding and resources Groups and organisations large and small will disappear Getting the right volunteers and providing appropriate training and support Cynicism due to de-motivation Being seen as agents of the state
Do we need to think differently? The Impact of Inequality; How to make Sick Societies Healthier (New Press,2005) Richard Wilkinson The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone (Penguin ,2010) Richard Wilkinson and Katie Pickett
Thinking differently? Robert Peston s book Who Runs Britain (published by Hodder 2008) provides a valuable analysis of the present economic problems of this country. Peston argues that the super rich who benefited under New Labour and now the Conservative/LibDems Coalition have undermined the fabric of the democratic state.
Finally... We need to be brave. Think differently and creatively Develop new ways of working Support localism but be aware of and critique the national and international social, economic and political forces that are creating the circumstances we work and live in.
