Our Common Good: If the State Provides Less Who Will Provide More

(Hardback)

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Will future generations live in a civil society and liberal democracy In this important book John Nickson, one of the country's most experienced charity fundraisers, argues that a retreating state poses a threat to civil society unless there is a greater commitment to create the social, cultural and intellectual capital needed to sustain it. Charitable giving has not grown in Britain in real terms for 30 years despite a colossal growth in private wealth. Giving via Foundations and businesses is not sufficient to meet need. The result is that the voluntary sector is not equipped to meet extra demand as the state provides less. This requires a practical as well as a moral response from all of us if we are to bequeath civil society and democracy to future generations. The challenges we face offer an opportunity to find new ways of solving problems and to create social capital. The lines between the public, private and voluntary sectors are becoming blurred. Nickson recommends that all who are committed to the common good should pool their resources.He talks to donors, foundations, social entrepreneurs, business leaders, charities and those they support and gives inspiring examples of how we may build a better and fairer society.

Reviews

"Our society is divided, unequal, uncertain and in search of an identity and purpose. Old assumptions have gone and old sources of financial support are diminishing. We need to look anew at how all of us, as citizens, can sustain society, our way of life and our civilisation. This book is a timely answer to that challenge." - Lord (Chris) Smith, Master of Pembroke College, chairman of the Art Fund and former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; "In Britain, we are proud of our mixed economy; the taxes we pay, our charitable donations and our volunteering have all contributed to sustaining our public services and the common good. Now all that is at risk as public services have been slashed and charitable giving has not grown. It is imperative we understand the risk to our democracy. All of us - the state, local government, international corporations, local businesses and individual men and women - must commit to the common good. Our way of life depends upon it. John Nickson demonstrates what a practical and moral response to current challenges might be and how the public-spirited are devising innovative and vibrant services that will benefit everyone." - The Rt Hon. Dame Margaret Hodge MP, former chair of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee; "We must save the concept of the collective before it is eclipsed. When you cut out a sense of the collective, you end up facing a dystopian future. If the state does less, we need an initiative that encourages more citizens to participate and do more. John Nickson's book is a vital contribution to the debate." - Sir Clive Cowdery, founder, the Resolution Foundation

Author Bio

John Nickson is one of Britain's most experienced fundraisers. He was Director of Fundraising for four national institutions (the British Council, English National Opera, the Royal Academy of Arts and Tate) and is a charity trustee and a donor. He is currently a trustee of the Royal College of Music, London Music Masters, Opera Rara and UK Community Foundations.