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Contracting for social cohesion: can local area agreements make a difference?
- Authors:
- ANDREWS Rhys, DOWNE James, GUARNEROS-MEZA Valeria
- Journal article citation:
- Policy and Politics, 42(4), 2014, pp.477-493.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
Under the Labour government, Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) in England were responsible for the delivery of Local Area Agreements (LAAs) – agreed targets between central and local government. This paper uses statistical techniques and local authority case studies to explore the impact of LAAs on LSPs' efforts to promote social cohesion. The results suggest that LSPs with a LAA for social cohesion experienced a better rate of improvement in community cohesiveness than those without, and that tougher targets resulted in stronger improvement. The impact of changes in LSPs' approaches to promoting social cohesion appears to be responsible for this finding. (Publisher abstract)
A challenge to liberalism? The communitarianism of the Big Society and Blue Labour
- Author:
- SAGE Daniel
- Journal article citation:
- Critical Social Policy, 32(3), August 2012, pp.365-382.
- Publisher:
- Sage
From both the right and the left of British politics, one of the most notable trends in recent political and policy discourse has been a concern that community life, social relationships and the institutions of civil society are in need of reinvigoration. For the Conservative Party, these ideas have been synthesised under the banner of the ‘Big Society’. The Labour Party has been developing the ideas of ‘Blue Labour’ which argues that Labour must stand for a more cooperative and reciprocal civil society based upon community action. Both the Big Society and Blue Labour take inspiration from the theories of communitarianism, which stress the importance of community and civic life over the more liberal claims of individual rights. This article examines the main arguments of communitarianism, the central ideas of the Big Society and Blue Labour and whether, ultimately, these tendencies have the potential to amount to a genuine communitarian shift in social policy. It argues that, although both concepts unquestionably represent an engagement with communitarian ideas, they face significant challenges. The article concludes that the Big Society faces more profound impediments than Blue Labour which, if it is able to overcome its own difficulties, may well support the foundation for a powerful, communitarian social democracy.
Interpreting 'community cohesion': modes, means and mixes
- Authors:
- LOWNDES Vivien, THORP Leila
- Journal article citation:
- Policy and Politics, 39(4), October 2011, pp.513-532.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
Community cohesion emerged in the UK as a policy response to the perceived need for strengthened community identity and purpose in the context of increasingly differentiated identities, transnational attachments, and a general climate of fear and marginalisation. This article seeks to surface and scrutinise the ideas that inform community cohesion policy. It argues that, although often portrayed as a struggle between multiculturalism and assimilation, the community cohesion agenda actually connects with broader currents in the New Labour policy programme. Three contrasting, yet overlapping, 'modes' of community cohesion are identified: communitarian; republican; and neoliberal. These prioritise, respectively, moral, political and economic 'means' of achieving greater cohesion. The article looks at how different modes have been combined in practice, and the ways in which these mixes have aligned with different policy goals, and varied over time and across localities. Despite the change of government in 2010, the 3 modes continue to structure the range of policy options on offer, and continuing practice on the ground.
Cutting it: the 'big society' and the new austerity
- Author:
- COOTE Anna
- Publisher:
- New Economics Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 28p.
- Place of publication:
- London
In July 2010, nef (the New Economics Foundation) produced a briefing, ‘Ten Big Questions about the Big Society and ten ways to make the best of it’. This document is an updated and expanded response which takes fuller account of emerging plans for government action as well as the public spending review. It also reflects what nef has learned from a wide range of charities, community groups and government officials about what the ‘Big Society’ could mean to them. At this stage the key components of the ‘Big Society’ are sketched out only lightly and people interpret them in different ways. In overview it is about the change from state power to people power, from big government to big society; although it is acknowledged that big interventions by government will be needed to achieve this. The big idea seems to be generating both a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm as well as anxiety and distaste. The big question posed here is whether the vision set out by the Prime Minister, in his party conference speech in October 2010, can fulfil its promise ‘to give Britain a brand new start’ when it is put into practice. The report considers what kind of ‘start’ that will be and whether the ‘Big Society’ can work in the age of austerity.
Tackling multiple deprivation in communities: considering the evidence
- Author:
- FYFE Andrew
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Government Social Research
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This desk based report aims to provide an understanding of the current context for geographically focused community regeneration activity in Scotland, explore the impacts of previous community regeneration interventions, and outline the challenges for policy makers in developing effective community regeneration approaches in the future. Main findings are presented.
A superfluous green paper?
- Author:
- ROBSON Glenna
- Journal article citation:
- Criminal Law and Justice Weekly, 30.5.09, 2009, pp.341-343.
- Publisher:
- LexisNexis Butterworths
- Place of publication:
- London
The author provides a critical account of the green paper 'Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice'.
Tackling multiple deprivation in communities: considering the evidence
- Author:
- FYFE Andrew
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Government Social Research
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 26p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report has been prepared for Communities Analytical Services and the Regeneration Division within the Housing and Regeneration Directorate. It is a desk based report. It aims to provide an understanding of the current context for geographically focused community regeneration in Scotland, explore the impacts of previous community regeneration interventions, and outline the challenges for policy makers in developing effective community regeneration approaches in the future. The findings from this research formed the basis for a presentation at the Scottish Government Tackling Multiple Deprivation in Communities Evidence Event on 2 June 2009. The following objectives were addressed: to provide an overview of the history of geographically targeted community regeneration programmes in Scotland over the past 30 years, to identify and explore changes to the planning, development and implementation of community regeneration initiatives in Scotland over the past 10 years, to explore the impact of these community regeneration interventions in Scotland, in terms of multiple deprivation and poverty, with a specific focus on last 10 years, to describe the current policy context and practice in the planning, development and implementation of local community regeneration interventions, and to identify future challenges to the development and delivery of effective community regeneration policy in Scotland, as well as challenges in assessing its impact.
Connecting British Hindus? A response
- Author:
- AWAAZ-SOUTH ASIA WATCH
- Journal article citation:
- Runnymede Bulletin, 351, September 2007, pp.21-23.
- Publisher:
- Runnymede Trust
The report 'Connecting British Hindus' - published jointly by the Runnymede Trust, the Hindu Forum of Britain and the Department for Communities and Local Government - attempted to identify the nature of 'British Hindu' communities and their role in public life in Britain. This article provides a challenging response to the report and an analysis of government policy towards faith communities.
Housing, race and community cohesion
- Authors:
- HARRISON Malcolm, et al
- Publisher:
- Chartered Institute of Housing
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 234p.
- Place of publication:
- Coventry
This book puts housing issues centre stage. It looks critically at government policies on 'race', 'equality' and community cohesion, from the perspective of both housing providers and of the 'housed'. It argues that there is a gap between what government says should be done, and the realities and practicalities that apply at community level. The authors argue that practical initiatives are needed to support deprived communities and promote contact and understanding (often in modest ways). And indeed in many places they are already happening. Government often fails to recognise this or - worse - makes policies that run counter to it.
Advice services must meet the needs of people and communities
- Author:
- STRONGE Bob
- Journal article citation:
- Scope, March 2006, pp.20-21.
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action
The Minister for Social Development in Northern Ireland launched a new DSD Advice and Information Strategy in January. The strategy puts forward a model based on 'area hubs'. The author argues that the proposed strategy could harm service users, especially people in deprived and disadvantaged groups, and could be deeply divisive.