Below the Radar in a Big Society? Reflections on community engagement, empowerment and social action in a changing policy context

摘要: ‘The Big Society’ has become a key element of the Coalition’s Government policy platform, not only on delivery public services by formal and funded voluntary sector but also in terms communities, more informal third activities individual citizens. Whilst term itself is recent, accompanied ‘new language’ social action, there are continuities between current Coalition objectives those previous New Labour administration: devolution powers to local level, reconfiguration promotion community engagement, empowerment active citizenship. This working paper explores debates about, ‘below radar’ (BTR) groups their assumed role delivering ‘big society’. It argues that motivators for action are, have been, ill understood circles. Further, been little systematic analysis power relationship state (both locally nationally) communities neighbourhoods which can inform meaningful debate localism. The examines implications ‘new’ environment small asks such activity, often independent of, operated outside state, be co-opted deliver particular government objectives?