Synopses & Reviews
Which underlying problems pose the greatest threat to British society in the 21st century? A hundred years after its philanthropist founder identified poverty, alcohol, drugs and gambling among the social evils of his time, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation initiated a major consultation among leading thinkers, activists and commentators, as well as the wider public. The findings have now been brought together in this fascinating book.Individual contributors range across the political spectrum but the book also reports the results from a web survey and consultation with groups whose voices are less often heard. The results suggest that while some evils - like poverty - endure as undisputed causes of social harm, more recent sources of social misery, such as an alleged rise in selfish consumerism and a perceived decline in personal responsibility and family commitment, attract controversy.
Review
A splendid series of thought-provoking studies on the social evils of our time, blessedly free of nostalgia, an essential contribution to a much-needed national debate on the society we seek to make for the sake of those who will come after us. Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks
Review
This is a brave exploration of some of the fundamental assumptions around values and attitudes that we hold, written at an important moment. I commend this timely, intelligent and challenging book. Clare Tickell, Chief Executive, Action for Children
Synopsis
A hundred years after its philanthropist founder identified poverty, alcohol, drugs and gambling among the social evils of his time, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation initiated a major consultation among leading thinkers, activists and commentators, as well as the wider public. "Contemporary social evils" examines the underlying problems that pose the greatest threat to British society in the 21st century.
About the Author
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Table of Contents
Introduction ~ Julia Unwin
Socio-historical chapter setting the scene ~ Josie Harris
The process ~ Charlie Lloyd
Part one: Public voices: The public debate ~ Author tbc
The unheard voices ~ Chris Creegan/NatCen
What ordinary people think are 'solutions' ~ Chris Creegan/ NatCen: Part two: Viewpoints: Introduction ~ David Utting
A decline of values ~ Anthony Browne, Anthony Grayling and Julia Neuberger
Distrust ~ Shaun Bailey and Anna Minton
The absence of society ~ Zygmunt Bauman
Individualism ~ Neal Lawson and Stephen Thake
Inequality ~ Chris Creegan, Ferdinand Mount and Jeremy Seabrook
Part three: Looking forward: A personal vision ~ Matthew Taylor
Conclusion: David Utting