Geographies and utopias of Cameron's Big Society

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3977428
AutoresPaul North (0000-0001-5147-7296, University of Liverpool, autor de correspondencia), Peter North (0000-0001-9933-6935)
Año2011
Volumen12
Número8
Páginas817-827
Fecha de publicación2011-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSocial & Cultural Geography (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1464-9365 • E-ISSN: 1470-1197
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14649365.2011.618889
OpenAlexW2088582022
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas30
Referencias citadas24

This commentary engages with UK Prime Minister David Cameron's concept of the 'Big Society' as a cure for issues of multiple deprivation in UK cities. It considers the extent that it can be summarily dismissed as the latest manifestation of processes of neoliberalisation or as a cover for major cuts in public expenditure. In the spirit of the arguments of critics who wish to have an open mind about the benefits or otherwise of neoliberalisation, this paper argues that it is not just those on the political right who have a critique of state action from the top down as a method of solving social problems. A well-funded alliance between professionals and local communities can deliver locally appropriate solutions. Given the UK Coalition Government's commitment to reducing public spending, however, adequate funding is absent, as is a genuine willingness to accept local empowerment or to combat inequality

Action (physics · Alliance · Big Society · Empowerment · Government (linguistics · Inequality · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Prime minister · Sociology · State (computer science · Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism · Law · Political and Economic history of UK and US · Public Administration · Social Policy and Reform Studies