Social policy case study 2: The ‘Big Society’ Policy Framework

Abstract

This chapter seeks to fuse theory with practical policy examples, aiming to highlight links between developments in contemporary social policy-making and the theoretical issues discussed in earlier chapters. It seeks, therefore, to explain and analyse the development and evolution of the concept of ‘The Big Society’ as a specific strand of David Cameron’s attempts to create a framework and sense of direction for a practical social policy agenda stemming from theories of social justice as well as broader ideological and political influences. Such an approach has been linked to his aspiration to modernise the Conservative Party’s social agenda since he secured the party leadership in late 2005. In analysing Cameron’s revitalised social policy agenda, this chapter seeks to address the role of the state in providing key public services, and in turn assess how realistic have been the attempts by Cameron’s government to provide a comprehensive, stable range of public services and social policy initiatives within a smaller state model and a less bureaucratic structural framework. The socio-political term ‘The Big Society’ has evolved into a high-profile, emblematic element of the way in which Conservative Party ‘modernisers’ have strived to create a revised social policy agenda that promotes a fresh vision of social justice for the right-of-centre tradition of British politics; one that aspires to remain loyal to some core Conservative traditions while also pragmatically adapting to many of the significant socio-economic developments of the New Labour era from 1997 onwards.