This accessible book is about local democracy, civic engagement, political participation and community in Britain. It rejects the many pessimistic accounts that seek to dominate our political discourse with their talk of political apathy, community breakdown and selfish individualismThe book focuses on local democratic politics in Britain over the last decade and a half, from the election of the New Labour government right up to the current Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government. It includes an analysis of local democracy, civic engagement and participation across a range of policy areas and in the context of debates around accountability, legitimacy, sustainability, localism and the 'big society'.
Drawing on a wide range of examples, it argues that local democracy is a vibrant terrain of innovation, civic engagement and participation, and dynamic community activity, with a wide variety of informal and formal activity taking place. -- .
By:
Hugh Atkinson
Other:
Bethan Hirst
Imprint: Manchester University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Spine: 13mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9780719079115
ISBN 10: 071907911X
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 30 May 2012
Audience:
College/higher education
,
College/higher education
,
Further / Higher Education
,
Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction 1 The theoretical context 2 Civic engagement and political participation: debates and evidence 3 The challenge of local democracy, civic engagement and community: an agenda for change 4 Local democracy at the formal level 5 Opening up local democracy beyond the formal realm 6 Local services, community and civic engagement 7 Regeneration and sustainability Conclusion Bibliography Index -- .
Hugh Atkinson is Senior Lecturer in Politics and Public Policy at London South Bank University
Reviews for Local Democracy, Civic Engagement and Community: From New Labour to the Big Society
The book's insights will prove invaluable to any students, lecturers and local goverment officers interested in mapping the shifting terrain of contemporary local governance in England. -- .
