Full page essay in today’s Observer by David Cameron on the Big Society policy (if you click on the picture you might be able to read it, for some reason there isn’t a copy of it on the Observer website).
Of all the ideas generated by this general election, the Big Society interests me the most. I am convinced of the argument that smaller groups of involved people will run state funded services better than directly employed state servants (thus delivering economic value). But I think the main values of this policy will be psychological and social.
Aldous Huxley has said: “To associate with other like-minded people in small, purposeful groups, is for the great majority of men and women a source of profound psychological satisfaction.”
Voluntary work brings psychological satisfaction. A society of satisfied individuals is likely to be a more stable society. Also a social economy based on voluntary units will be much less vulnerable to fluctuations in government policy or funding.
Miranda Sawyer, writing in yesterday’s Daily Mirror, wrote a completely incoherent critique of the Big Society policy. Her main point seemed to be that people are too busy to do voluntary work, without explaining what is more important than helping to run social institutions. Her biography on Wikipedia includes writing for Smash Hits, appearing on The Weakest Link, and appearing on The Culture Show (a programme so bad I can’t watch it) – this list makes me wonder whether she has got her life priorities right.
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