In my essay, 'The Reciprocity Test: Pros and Cons’, eight propositions are formulated on the basis of the Golden Rule of Reciprocity. The extent to which people agree/disagree with each of them would define their Pro or Con position in relation to the ethos of reciprocity and exhibit their underlying political differences. I have added further notes below to explain what each may entail.
• As we would want others not to act in a prejudiced way against us (because of our ethnicity, sex, religion, etc), we should avoid acting with prejudice towards others.
[One key issue concerning prejudiced behaviour is the validity of assuming that a particular negative quality applies to all, or most, members of a given group. There are cases where such an assumption would be valid if part of the definition of membership requires the individuals concerned to possess certain negative quality. For example, it is reasonable to be suspicious of a member of the Mafia that he may harm an innocent person. But it would be unreasonable to treat someone as a member of the Mafia just on account of him being an Italian-American]
• As we would not want any punitive sanction directed at us without due process, we should not impose any arbitrary sanctions on others.
[‘Due process’ is itself a complex concept. In general, however, people would be alarmed that they could be punished just because an unknown accuser claims they have done something wrong without needing to produce any reliable evidence. Some of the people who vocally support ‘fast track’ prosecution against suspects may think twice if they realise it can be applied to them.]
• As we would want to be protected from the dangers posed by transgressors and high-risk activities, we should back the protection of others from similar dangers.
[Transgressors may not just be criminals or enemy countries in a state of war, but individuals or organisations who use their power to promote harmful addictions or destroy the environment.]
• As we would want others to help us in desperate times, we should ensure others are helped in desperate times.
[There may be different interpretations of what constitutes ‘desperate’, but few would dispute that when there are far fewer jobs than the number of applicants, when many of the jobs don’t pay enough, when families are left cold and hungry, and at risk of becoming or have already become homeless, people desperately need help.]
• As we would want others to support collective action where it can improve our common wellbeing, we should be prepared to contribute to such collective action.
[A reliable transportation system, decent standards for sanitation, secure water and energy supply, support for health improvement are all examples of where the pooling of some of our resources can collectively deliver much greater improvement to our wellbeing than can ever be achieved with fragmented actions, which would inevitably be undermined by free-riders who want to take advantage of others’ hard work without contributing themselves.]
• As we would not want anyone to amass such wealth and power that would leave us at their mercy, we should not allow anyone to have so much wealth and power that would put others at their mercy.
[Both the ancient Roman Republic and the early American republic were acutely aware of the need to prevent any individual from amassing so much wealth and power that others would have to bow down to their might. But they both became complacent about the need to prevent power inequalities from widening across society. The Roman Republic fell to the autocratic rule of the Caesars. America is in danger of being overtaken completely by plutocratic rule.]
• As we would not accept any claims put forward by others without the backing of adequate evidence and coherent arguments, we should not expect others to accept unjustifiable claims.
[This is most notable when religious authorities insist they have a uniquely infallible position that others must not challenge. But by the same token, conflicting religious claims made by other faith organisations cannot be challenged either. The only viable option is for all sides to rely on objective forms of evidence and argument to settle disputes, or else, there would be perpetual deadlock]
• As we would want to have a say about any important decision that can affect us, we should not make key decisions affecting others without giving them a say.
[Democratic procedures can take many forms, and not all may be sufficiently inclusive or effective to give a meaningful say to those concerned, but at least there should be a recognition that to give those affected by a decision no say at all is an affront that people would not in general welcome themselves. Some decisions, because of the expertise involved or the emergency situation, may have to be entrusted to a few to take, but there would still be issues regarding how they account for their decisions, how their judgement and integrity are kept under review, and what those affected by their decisions can do to avoid any mistake or impropriety from being repeated in the future.]
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Archived Biographical Note: Henry Tam (2013)
[This is an archived biographical note of Henry Tam; for the most up to date information, go to the Home Page]
Henry Benedict Tam is a political writer, novelist, and advocate for the development of inclusive communities. He is the Director of the Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy, University of Cambridge, and Visiting Professor at Birkbeck College, University of London. His best known works include Communitarianism: a new agenda for politics and citizenship (1998), which was nominated by New York University Press for the 2000 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order; and Against Power Inequalities (2010), described by Professor Charles Derber as “an intellectual tour de force, an erudite romp through the history of civilization that highlights the origins of power and the never-ending effort to democratize hierarchical systems through mobilized participatory communities.” His novel, Kuan's Wonderland (2012), "an unmissable page-turner" (President, the Independent Publishers Guild), is available from amazon.
He is also a patron of AOPM, the association of youth justice volunteers. He was appointed the UK Government’s Head of Civil Renewal in 2003 and led on national policies for community empowerment up to 2010. The ‘Together We Can’ programme he developed was showcased at the 2008 international meeting of the Global Network of Government Innovators (Harvard University). His pioneering project for citizen engagement, ‘Working with Communities’ (1995-1999) won a Best Practice Award from the Prime Minister in 1999. During 2010-2011 he was the UK’s Head of Race Equality.
Writings
Henry Tam’s essays on politics and society regularly appear on Question the Powerful. His published books and articles include:
• 'Cooperative Problem-Solving & Education', Forum journal (forthcoming, 2013)
• 'Communitarianism', in the Encyclopedia of Action Research (Sage Publications, forthcoming, 2013).
. 'Cooperative Problem-Solving: what it means in theory and practice', FYPD, University of Cambridge (download article here).
• Kuan's Wonderland (a novel), available on amazon.co.uk and amazon.com from 2012.
. ‘Citizen Engagement and the Quest for Solidarity’, in After the Third Way: The Future of Social Democracy in Europe, ed. by Olaf Cramme and Patrick Diamond (London, I.B. Tauris, 2012).
• ‘Rejuvenating Democracy: lessons from a communitarian experiment’, Forum, Volume 53, Number 3, 2011.
• Komunitaryzm, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikolaja Kopernika, Torun 2011 (Polish translation of Communitarianism, by J Grygienc & A Szahaj).
• ‘Through Thick & Thin: what does it really take for us to live together’, in Ethnicities, ed. by Dina Kiwan, Volume 11 Issue 3 September 2011.
• ‘The Big Con: reframing the state-society debate’, PPR Journal, March-May 2011, Volume 18, Issue 1.
• Against Power Inequalities: reflections on the struggle for inclusive communities, Birkbeck, London University, 2010. Book available as a free download from the Equality Trust.
• ‘The Importance of Being a Citizen’, in Active Learning for Active Citizenship, ed. by John Annette & Marjorie Mayo, (NIACE, 2010)
• ‘Civil Renewal: the agenda for empowering citizens’, in Re-energizing Citizenship: Strategies for Civil Renewal, ed. by Gerry Stoker, Tessa Brannan, and Peter John, (Macmillan Palgrave, 2007).
• ‘The Case for Progressive Solidarity’, in Identity, Ethnic Diversity & Community Cohesion, ed. by M. Wetherell, M. Lafleche & R. Berkeley, (London: Sage, 2007)
• Progressive Politics in the Global Age (ed.) (Cambridge: Polity, 2001).
• ‘The Community Roots of Citizenship’, in Citizens: Towards a Citizenship Culture, ed. by B. Crick (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2001)
• Communitarianism: A New Agenda for Politics & Citizenship (Macmillan, 1998)
• Punishment, Excuses & Moral Development (ed.) (Aldershot: Avebury Press, 1996)
• 'Education and the Communitarian Movement', Journal for Pastoral Care in Education, September 1996.
• 'Crime & Responsibility' in B. Almond (ed.) Introducing Applied Ethics (Blackwell's 1995)
• 'Communitarianism & the Co-operative Movement', The Co-op Commonweal, Issue 2 1995.
• Marketing, Competition & the Public Sector (ed.) (Harlow: Longman, 1994)
• Serving the Public: Customer Management in Local Government (Harlow: Longman 1993).
• 'How Should We Live?' The Philosopher, October 1993.
• Responsibility & Personal Interactions: A Philosophical Study of the Criteria for Responsibility Ascriptions (Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press, 1990).
• 'What is Philosophy?' series of articles in the South China Morning Post, 1983.
• ‘The Fox’, a short story (The South China Morning Post, 4th September 1982).
• 'Whose life is it anyway?', Axis (Oxford: OUSU, 1980).
Policy Development
Henry Benedict Tam has since 2011 been the Director of Cambridge University’s Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy, established to draw together policy makers, young people, practitioners and researchers from Cambridge University and around the world to explore the challenges facing young citizens today, and develop collaborative research and new policy thinking in response to these problems. In 2012 he established a national network to promote learning in the value and application of 'Cooperative Problem-Solving'.
From 2003 to 2010 he was the Head of the UK Government’s Civil Renewal Unit (which he set up in the Home Office and continued to direct its work after it moved in 2006 to the newly established Department for Communities & Local Government). During this time, he worked with successive Secretaries of State and Ministers, partners from community organisations, and colleagues in central and local government to introduce a wide range of new policies and practices to empower citizens to have greater influence over decisions concerning their common good:
• ‘Active Citizens, Strong Communities – progressing civil renewal’, an outline of the core objectives and policies. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/activecitizensstrong
• ‘Together We Can’, the cross-government action plan with commitments in all key public policy areas. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/togetherwecan2
• ‘Together We Can’ 2005/2006 review, with reports from the Secretaries of State and Ministers on progress in 12 Government Departments. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/togetherwecan
• Developed Active Learning for Active Citizenship, and ‘Take Part’. http://www.takepart.org/manageContent.aspx?object.id=10229&mta_htm=home
• Introduced Guide Neighbourhoods. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/changeneighbourhoodsevaluation
• Developed Civic Pioneers. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/civicpioneerslocal, and http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/civicpioneersreview
• Set up and implemented the Quirk Review (on community management and ownership of assets). http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/makingassetswork
• Set up the Asset Transfer Unit. http://atu.org.uk/
• Promoted Participatory Budgeting. http://www.participatorybudgeting.org.uk/
• Set up the Councillors Commission and developed the Government’s implementation plan (including the Duty to Promote Democracy). www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/583990.pdf
Other key positions he held include: the UK Government’s Head of Race Equality (2010-2011); Home Office’s Head of Correctional Services Standards Unit (2002-2003); Government Office (East of England)’s Director for Community Safety & Regeneration (2000-2002); Deputy Chief Executive, St Edmundsbury Borough Council (1992-2000), where his work on ‘Working with Communities’ won a Best Practice Award from the Prime Minister in 1999; and Head of Marketing & Economic Development at Braintree District Council (1989-1992).
Other Civic Activities
Over the years he has been invited to share his ideas on reciprocity, democracy, and the development of inclusive communities at events convened by many different organisations such as Workers Educational Association; Church Action on Poverty; Urban Forum; the BBC; National School of Government; Metropolitan Police Authority; South Place Ethical Society; and Community Service Volunteers.
He has also been a guest speaker at the Institute of Sociology (Warsaw, Poland); the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation (Harvard, USA) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fyNGfPgZ9M from 33.40 on); the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (12th annual conference); the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies (Washington, USA); the Society for Applied Philosophy; the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation (Ireland); the London Business School; the Oxford Centre for Advanced Study of the Social Sciences; and other research institutions.
He is a long-standing supporter of Amnesty International and Oxfam, a patron of AOPM (the association for youth justice volunteers), and a member of the United Nations Association (UK), and the British Humanist Association. He was co-founder and trustee of Philosophy in Britain (1989-1996), and Chair of the Communitarian Forum, UK (1995-2000).
Academic and Professional Recognition
• Affiliated Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge (appointed 2011).
• Visiting Professor, Social Policy & Education, Birkbeck College, University of London (appointed 2008).
• Fellow, Globus Institute for Globalization and Sustainable Development, University of Tilburg, the Netherlands (appointed 2000).
• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Marketing (1993-2011)
• Research Fellow, Centre for Citizenship Development, Anglia Polytechnic University (1992-1995).
• Diploma in Public Relations & Marketing, CAM (Communication, Advertising & Marketing) Foundation (1988).
• Ph.D in Philosophy, (Swire Scholar) the University of Hong Kong (1981-1984).
• BA/MA in Philosophy, Politics & Economics, (Neale Scholar) the Queen’s College, University of Oxford (1978-1981).
Henry Benedict Tam is a political writer, novelist, and advocate for the development of inclusive communities. He is the Director of the Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy, University of Cambridge, and Visiting Professor at Birkbeck College, University of London. His best known works include Communitarianism: a new agenda for politics and citizenship (1998), which was nominated by New York University Press for the 2000 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order; and Against Power Inequalities (2010), described by Professor Charles Derber as “an intellectual tour de force, an erudite romp through the history of civilization that highlights the origins of power and the never-ending effort to democratize hierarchical systems through mobilized participatory communities.” His novel, Kuan's Wonderland (2012), "an unmissable page-turner" (President, the Independent Publishers Guild), is available from amazon.
He is also a patron of AOPM, the association of youth justice volunteers. He was appointed the UK Government’s Head of Civil Renewal in 2003 and led on national policies for community empowerment up to 2010. The ‘Together We Can’ programme he developed was showcased at the 2008 international meeting of the Global Network of Government Innovators (Harvard University). His pioneering project for citizen engagement, ‘Working with Communities’ (1995-1999) won a Best Practice Award from the Prime Minister in 1999. During 2010-2011 he was the UK’s Head of Race Equality.
Writings
Henry Tam’s essays on politics and society regularly appear on Question the Powerful. His published books and articles include:
• 'Cooperative Problem-Solving & Education', Forum journal (forthcoming, 2013)
• 'Communitarianism', in the Encyclopedia of Action Research (Sage Publications, forthcoming, 2013).
. 'Cooperative Problem-Solving: what it means in theory and practice', FYPD, University of Cambridge (download article here).
• Kuan's Wonderland (a novel), available on amazon.co.uk and amazon.com from 2012.
. ‘Citizen Engagement and the Quest for Solidarity’, in After the Third Way: The Future of Social Democracy in Europe, ed. by Olaf Cramme and Patrick Diamond (London, I.B. Tauris, 2012).
• ‘Rejuvenating Democracy: lessons from a communitarian experiment’, Forum, Volume 53, Number 3, 2011.
• Komunitaryzm, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikolaja Kopernika, Torun 2011 (Polish translation of Communitarianism, by J Grygienc & A Szahaj).
• ‘Through Thick & Thin: what does it really take for us to live together’, in Ethnicities, ed. by Dina Kiwan, Volume 11 Issue 3 September 2011.
• ‘The Big Con: reframing the state-society debate’, PPR Journal, March-May 2011, Volume 18, Issue 1.
• Against Power Inequalities: reflections on the struggle for inclusive communities, Birkbeck, London University, 2010. Book available as a free download from the Equality Trust.
• ‘The Importance of Being a Citizen’, in Active Learning for Active Citizenship, ed. by John Annette & Marjorie Mayo, (NIACE, 2010)
• ‘Civil Renewal: the agenda for empowering citizens’, in Re-energizing Citizenship: Strategies for Civil Renewal, ed. by Gerry Stoker, Tessa Brannan, and Peter John, (Macmillan Palgrave, 2007).
• ‘The Case for Progressive Solidarity’, in Identity, Ethnic Diversity & Community Cohesion, ed. by M. Wetherell, M. Lafleche & R. Berkeley, (London: Sage, 2007)
• Progressive Politics in the Global Age (ed.) (Cambridge: Polity, 2001).
• ‘The Community Roots of Citizenship’, in Citizens: Towards a Citizenship Culture, ed. by B. Crick (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2001)
• Communitarianism: A New Agenda for Politics & Citizenship (Macmillan, 1998)
• Punishment, Excuses & Moral Development (ed.) (Aldershot: Avebury Press, 1996)
• 'Education and the Communitarian Movement', Journal for Pastoral Care in Education, September 1996.
• 'Crime & Responsibility' in B. Almond (ed.) Introducing Applied Ethics (Blackwell's 1995)
• 'Communitarianism & the Co-operative Movement', The Co-op Commonweal, Issue 2 1995.
• Marketing, Competition & the Public Sector (ed.) (Harlow: Longman, 1994)
• Serving the Public: Customer Management in Local Government (Harlow: Longman 1993).
• 'How Should We Live?' The Philosopher, October 1993.
• Responsibility & Personal Interactions: A Philosophical Study of the Criteria for Responsibility Ascriptions (Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press, 1990).
• 'What is Philosophy?' series of articles in the South China Morning Post, 1983.
• ‘The Fox’, a short story (The South China Morning Post, 4th September 1982).
• 'Whose life is it anyway?', Axis (Oxford: OUSU, 1980).
Policy Development
Henry Benedict Tam has since 2011 been the Director of Cambridge University’s Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy, established to draw together policy makers, young people, practitioners and researchers from Cambridge University and around the world to explore the challenges facing young citizens today, and develop collaborative research and new policy thinking in response to these problems. In 2012 he established a national network to promote learning in the value and application of 'Cooperative Problem-Solving'.
From 2003 to 2010 he was the Head of the UK Government’s Civil Renewal Unit (which he set up in the Home Office and continued to direct its work after it moved in 2006 to the newly established Department for Communities & Local Government). During this time, he worked with successive Secretaries of State and Ministers, partners from community organisations, and colleagues in central and local government to introduce a wide range of new policies and practices to empower citizens to have greater influence over decisions concerning their common good:
• ‘Active Citizens, Strong Communities – progressing civil renewal’, an outline of the core objectives and policies. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/activecitizensstrong
• ‘Together We Can’, the cross-government action plan with commitments in all key public policy areas. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/togetherwecan2
• ‘Together We Can’ 2005/2006 review, with reports from the Secretaries of State and Ministers on progress in 12 Government Departments. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/togetherwecan
• Developed Active Learning for Active Citizenship, and ‘Take Part’. http://www.takepart.org/manageContent.aspx?object.id=10229&mta_htm=home
• Introduced Guide Neighbourhoods. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/changeneighbourhoodsevaluation
• Developed Civic Pioneers. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/civicpioneerslocal, and http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/civicpioneersreview
• Set up and implemented the Quirk Review (on community management and ownership of assets). http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/makingassetswork
• Set up the Asset Transfer Unit. http://atu.org.uk/
• Promoted Participatory Budgeting. http://www.participatorybudgeting.org.uk/
• Set up the Councillors Commission and developed the Government’s implementation plan (including the Duty to Promote Democracy). www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/583990.pdf
Other key positions he held include: the UK Government’s Head of Race Equality (2010-2011); Home Office’s Head of Correctional Services Standards Unit (2002-2003); Government Office (East of England)’s Director for Community Safety & Regeneration (2000-2002); Deputy Chief Executive, St Edmundsbury Borough Council (1992-2000), where his work on ‘Working with Communities’ won a Best Practice Award from the Prime Minister in 1999; and Head of Marketing & Economic Development at Braintree District Council (1989-1992).
Other Civic Activities
Over the years he has been invited to share his ideas on reciprocity, democracy, and the development of inclusive communities at events convened by many different organisations such as Workers Educational Association; Church Action on Poverty; Urban Forum; the BBC; National School of Government; Metropolitan Police Authority; South Place Ethical Society; and Community Service Volunteers.
He has also been a guest speaker at the Institute of Sociology (Warsaw, Poland); the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation (Harvard, USA) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fyNGfPgZ9M from 33.40 on); the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (12th annual conference); the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies (Washington, USA); the Society for Applied Philosophy; the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation (Ireland); the London Business School; the Oxford Centre for Advanced Study of the Social Sciences; and other research institutions.
He is a long-standing supporter of Amnesty International and Oxfam, a patron of AOPM (the association for youth justice volunteers), and a member of the United Nations Association (UK), and the British Humanist Association. He was co-founder and trustee of Philosophy in Britain (1989-1996), and Chair of the Communitarian Forum, UK (1995-2000).
Academic and Professional Recognition
• Affiliated Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge (appointed 2011).
• Visiting Professor, Social Policy & Education, Birkbeck College, University of London (appointed 2008).
• Fellow, Globus Institute for Globalization and Sustainable Development, University of Tilburg, the Netherlands (appointed 2000).
• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Marketing (1993-2011)
• Research Fellow, Centre for Citizenship Development, Anglia Polytechnic University (1992-1995).
• Diploma in Public Relations & Marketing, CAM (Communication, Advertising & Marketing) Foundation (1988).
• Ph.D in Philosophy, (Swire Scholar) the University of Hong Kong (1981-1984).
• BA/MA in Philosophy, Politics & Economics, (Neale Scholar) the Queen’s College, University of Oxford (1978-1981).
Saturday, April 20, 2013
The Problem with Plutocracy (2 Cambridge Talks, May 2013)
Announcing two public talks to be given in Cambridge by Dr. Henry Tam (Director, Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy, University of Cambridge) this May:
7 May, Tuesday
(7.30 pm – 9.15 pm)
Left with a Hard Choice: the contest of democracy v plutocracy
Cambridge Fabians & Anglia Ruskin GradSoc
Room 006, Ashcroft Building, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge
“In recent decades, plutocracy has become hegemonic in its dominance. Supporters of the left are repeatedly told that no one can win power without deferring to the deregulatory, small state, low tax, privatising agenda of the corporate advocates. Must democracy concede to plutocracy? Or can progressive changes be achieved through the development of a more radical, communitarian democracy? The key, as Henry Tam will explain, is to draw from the evidence of successful participatory engagement and build a reform movement with citizens to secure better outcomes for everyone, and not just the wealthy few.”
13 May, Monday
(1.30 pm – 3.30 pm)
Will this be the Plutocratic Century?
Cambridge CRASSH (Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities)
Alison Richard Building, Cambridge University, West Road, Cambridge
“The 20th century was meant to have witnessed the triumph of democracy against all odds. But the early 21st century is exhibiting many symptoms that citizens no longer have an equal say in how they are to be governed. As the plutocratic form of politics spreads its influence, all those concerned with this development may wish to join in the exploration of three questions.
First, what historical lessons can be drawn from shifts in power distribution in the past?
Secondly, on what theoretical and empirical basis can we argue for an alternative to current trends?
And finally, what new means should we experiment with to connect with disengaged citizens in any attempt to revive democracy?”
[If you’re interested in attending either of these talks, please confirm by emailing hbt21@cam.ac.uk There is no charge for participants.]
Follow @HenryBTam on Twitter
7 May, Tuesday
(7.30 pm – 9.15 pm)
Left with a Hard Choice: the contest of democracy v plutocracy
Cambridge Fabians & Anglia Ruskin GradSoc
Room 006, Ashcroft Building, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge
“In recent decades, plutocracy has become hegemonic in its dominance. Supporters of the left are repeatedly told that no one can win power without deferring to the deregulatory, small state, low tax, privatising agenda of the corporate advocates. Must democracy concede to plutocracy? Or can progressive changes be achieved through the development of a more radical, communitarian democracy? The key, as Henry Tam will explain, is to draw from the evidence of successful participatory engagement and build a reform movement with citizens to secure better outcomes for everyone, and not just the wealthy few.”
13 May, Monday
(1.30 pm – 3.30 pm)
Will this be the Plutocratic Century?
Cambridge CRASSH (Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities)
Alison Richard Building, Cambridge University, West Road, Cambridge
“The 20th century was meant to have witnessed the triumph of democracy against all odds. But the early 21st century is exhibiting many symptoms that citizens no longer have an equal say in how they are to be governed. As the plutocratic form of politics spreads its influence, all those concerned with this development may wish to join in the exploration of three questions.
First, what historical lessons can be drawn from shifts in power distribution in the past?
Secondly, on what theoretical and empirical basis can we argue for an alternative to current trends?
And finally, what new means should we experiment with to connect with disengaged citizens in any attempt to revive democracy?”
[If you’re interested in attending either of these talks, please confirm by emailing hbt21@cam.ac.uk There is no charge for participants.]
Follow @HenryBTam on Twitter
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Kuan's Wonderland: Customer Reviews
[The following customer reviews can be found on: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kuans-Wonderland-ebook/dp/B008144G9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336413074&sr=8-1]
A good mystery, 20 May 2012
By Pete7reviews
“I'm always on the look out for a good mystery and this fits the bill. I enjoyed not knowing what was coming next and the way it all came together in the last few chapters was something else. Not sure it fits into the usual fantasy genre, it's totally unique.”
Real page turner with a great twist, 19 May 2012
By YakinaMac
“Imagine the bastard lovechild of Pan's Labyrinth and 1984 - if you can - and you might get a flavour of what's waiting for you with Kuan's Wonderland. You'll be glued to the page as Kuan is snatched from home and transported to a bizarre, parallel world, full of sinister characters where nothing is ever quite as it seems. The twist at the end is inspired - it will be playing on your mind for days after you finish reading.”
Brilliant Surprise, 13 May 2012
By pageturner
“Came across Kuan's Wonderland by chance and really loved it. The more I read, the more I realised that nothing was what it first seemed - it's packed full of twists. The first few chapters are a good read but make sure you read it right to the end, you'll have missed out on something special if you don't. It felt a bit Doctor Who in places (the good episodes)... I've recommended it to my friends.”
A gripping tale of changing worlds and extreme loyalty, 10 May 2012
By freedom22
“This gripped me from the start and whenever I picked it up, I was straight back in the story with Kuan as a force for good, fearless and challenging to the different powers trying to crush him. Kuan moved swiftly between different worlds, their rules and his dilemmas becoming clear in each place. Shape changing characters and high-speed action kept me curious throughout about the complexities of Kuan's quest. The echoes of our own political world, where cruel power priorities fight with altruism and equality, were portrayed with both horror and a wry humour, making it an enjoyable read, full of political and human depth.”
A good mystery, 20 May 2012
By Pete7reviews
“I'm always on the look out for a good mystery and this fits the bill. I enjoyed not knowing what was coming next and the way it all came together in the last few chapters was something else. Not sure it fits into the usual fantasy genre, it's totally unique.”
Real page turner with a great twist, 19 May 2012
By YakinaMac
“Imagine the bastard lovechild of Pan's Labyrinth and 1984 - if you can - and you might get a flavour of what's waiting for you with Kuan's Wonderland. You'll be glued to the page as Kuan is snatched from home and transported to a bizarre, parallel world, full of sinister characters where nothing is ever quite as it seems. The twist at the end is inspired - it will be playing on your mind for days after you finish reading.”
Brilliant Surprise, 13 May 2012
By pageturner
“Came across Kuan's Wonderland by chance and really loved it. The more I read, the more I realised that nothing was what it first seemed - it's packed full of twists. The first few chapters are a good read but make sure you read it right to the end, you'll have missed out on something special if you don't. It felt a bit Doctor Who in places (the good episodes)... I've recommended it to my friends.”
A gripping tale of changing worlds and extreme loyalty, 10 May 2012
By freedom22
“This gripped me from the start and whenever I picked it up, I was straight back in the story with Kuan as a force for good, fearless and challenging to the different powers trying to crush him. Kuan moved swiftly between different worlds, their rules and his dilemmas becoming clear in each place. Shape changing characters and high-speed action kept me curious throughout about the complexities of Kuan's quest. The echoes of our own political world, where cruel power priorities fight with altruism and equality, were portrayed with both horror and a wry humour, making it an enjoyable read, full of political and human depth.”
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Cooperative & Communitarian: a common heritage
‘Communitarian social policies’ and ‘cooperative economic practices’ are two sides of the same coin. Instead of splitting them up into compartmentalised boxes, we should treat them as ideas from a common resource to build more inclusive communities in all spheres of life.
The terms, ‘cooperative’ and ‘communitarian’, are historically closely related. Robert Owen, William King and others in 19th century Britain pioneered cooperative ideas that call for the equal participation in decision-making by those affected by the operations of any given organisation. People who were involved as workers and/or recipients of the services in question were not only to be given an equal say, but supported with decent socio-economic conditions so they could function as partners, not subordinates.
When these ideas were exported to America, they came to be described as ‘communitarian’ because their prime concern was not with those with the power to order others or with individuals each making choices without reference to the common good, but with how communities could be developed to help their members flourish as free and responsible persons.
While the ‘communitarian’ label later came to be associated narrowly in some quarters with the writings of a few American academics, progressive thinkers such as Charles Derber and Philip Selznick in the US, and Henry Tam and Jonathan Boswell in the UK have always emphasised the cooperative lineage in their communitarian philosophy.
In his 1995 article for The Coop Commonweal, 'Communitarianism & the Co-operative Movement', Tam wrote, “the ultimate goal is the development of responsible citizens who are ready and able to co-operate with each other to make improvements for all, especially those who are least able to look after themselves.” To take cooperation seriously, therefore, requires a consistent commitment to steer government bodies, business organisations, and educational institutions towards the removal of barriers to reciprocal collaboration in all spheres of life.
The failings of deregulated markets, as much as misguided calls for a return to oppressive traditionalism, are now plain to see. We can neither leave the future to the anarchy of unconstrained profit seekers nor entrust power to a few self-styled gurus of fundamentalist doctrines. We will only be able to safeguard our being if we treat each other as equal partners in securing mutual protection through a collective endeavour to improve the conditions determining our common good. More than ever, we need to draw from the cooperative-communitarian heritage of reform ideas and practice.
Publications for Reference
Hale, Sarah, Blair’s Community: Communitarian Thought and New Labour, Manchester University Press, 2006 (pointed to the contrast between media coverage of ‘communitarian ideas’ and the radical communitarian writings of Boswell and Tam).
Tam, H., ‘Rediscovering British Communitarianism’, The Responsive Community, Volume 9, Issue 1, 1998/1999 (set out the broader heritage of communitarian ideas, particularly in connection with the cooperative movement in Britain).
Tam, H. Communitarianism: a new agenda for politics and citizenship, Macmillan 1998.
Tam, H., 'Communitarianism & the Co-operative Movement', The Co-op Commonweal, Issue 2 1995.
Boswell, Jonathan, Community and the Economy, The Theory of Public Co-operation, Routledge, 1990.
The terms, ‘cooperative’ and ‘communitarian’, are historically closely related. Robert Owen, William King and others in 19th century Britain pioneered cooperative ideas that call for the equal participation in decision-making by those affected by the operations of any given organisation. People who were involved as workers and/or recipients of the services in question were not only to be given an equal say, but supported with decent socio-economic conditions so they could function as partners, not subordinates.
When these ideas were exported to America, they came to be described as ‘communitarian’ because their prime concern was not with those with the power to order others or with individuals each making choices without reference to the common good, but with how communities could be developed to help their members flourish as free and responsible persons.
While the ‘communitarian’ label later came to be associated narrowly in some quarters with the writings of a few American academics, progressive thinkers such as Charles Derber and Philip Selznick in the US, and Henry Tam and Jonathan Boswell in the UK have always emphasised the cooperative lineage in their communitarian philosophy.
In his 1995 article for The Coop Commonweal, 'Communitarianism & the Co-operative Movement', Tam wrote, “the ultimate goal is the development of responsible citizens who are ready and able to co-operate with each other to make improvements for all, especially those who are least able to look after themselves.” To take cooperation seriously, therefore, requires a consistent commitment to steer government bodies, business organisations, and educational institutions towards the removal of barriers to reciprocal collaboration in all spheres of life.
The failings of deregulated markets, as much as misguided calls for a return to oppressive traditionalism, are now plain to see. We can neither leave the future to the anarchy of unconstrained profit seekers nor entrust power to a few self-styled gurus of fundamentalist doctrines. We will only be able to safeguard our being if we treat each other as equal partners in securing mutual protection through a collective endeavour to improve the conditions determining our common good. More than ever, we need to draw from the cooperative-communitarian heritage of reform ideas and practice.
Publications for Reference
Hale, Sarah, Blair’s Community: Communitarian Thought and New Labour, Manchester University Press, 2006 (pointed to the contrast between media coverage of ‘communitarian ideas’ and the radical communitarian writings of Boswell and Tam).
Tam, H., ‘Rediscovering British Communitarianism’, The Responsive Community, Volume 9, Issue 1, 1998/1999 (set out the broader heritage of communitarian ideas, particularly in connection with the cooperative movement in Britain).
Tam, H. Communitarianism: a new agenda for politics and citizenship, Macmillan 1998.
Tam, H., 'Communitarianism & the Co-operative Movement', The Co-op Commonweal, Issue 2 1995.
Boswell, Jonathan, Community and the Economy, The Theory of Public Co-operation, Routledge, 1990.
Friday, March 9, 2012
An Insider Look At Public Policy Development
(These are the notes for a presentation given on behalf of the Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy, at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, 1 Feb 2012)
What is Public Policy?
Public policy is why democratic control over state power is vital. A public policy is put in place in the name of our govt acting on our behalf and is binding on everyone. When people say “I can do this, it’s not against the law”, that presumes permission from public policy, a permission which could be withdrawn.
Public policy can take many forms:
• Law: restriction, duty, permission
• Organisation: structural changes, overseeing arrangements
• Opinion leadership: encouragement, admonition, criticism
• Partnership: collaboration, sharing of personnel, information, joint declarations
• Finance: tax, funding support, credits, subsidies, benefits
Who actually shapes Public Policy?
• Secretary of State, Ministers
• Special Advisers
• Policy Officials
• PM and Cabinet Colleagues
• MPs
• External Experts
• Commentators (Party Political and Non-Political)
• Stakeholders (those who can speak for those most likely to be affected)
How does the Policy Development Process work?
The generic process:
Minister’s request for action -> Policy Lead (Divisional Head/Deputy Director or Team/Branch Leader) -> Submission to Minister -> Minister’s response -> consultation -> Submission to Minister -> Ministerial approval -> implementation
Examples of 5 ways to get from an idea to a policy:
• Manifesto Commitment: the value of getting a specific policy proposal into a party’s manifesto commitment. But even the simplest of commitment could have complex implications in being translated into a viable policy. Examples: Community Call for Action; Planning Circulars.
• Legislate: A Bill or just a clause (scoping); Legal dimension (parliamentary counsel); New (Economic) Burden (assessment and budget); regulatory impact assessment; debates and amendments. Example: Duty to Promote Democracy.
• White Paper: useful to announce a set of related policies, pointing to what will be legislated, or what will be reviewed, also to signal areas where more initiatives may be developed.
• Review
o Minister-led: Example – Correctional Services Standards Board (chaired by Minister, Hilary Benn), restructuring of prison and probation services; guidelines on sentencing.
o Commission with an Independent Chair and members appointed: Example – Councillors Commission (chaired by Jane Roberts), drawing attention to under-representation of women, minority groups and young people; different electoral approaches; duty to promote democracy.
o Informal Review with an external expert invited to lead: Example – Quirk Review on Asset Transfer (Chaired by Barry Quirk, then Chief Executive of London Borough of Lewisham), guidelines; support programme via the Development Trust Association; asset lock approach to risk management.
• Initiatives
o Crime Reduction funding: bring different pots of money and different departmental strings into a single fund, AND divide it for the regions with each regional office developing with its local partners how best to allocate the money.
o Promotion of Participatory Budgeting: a promotional strategy; support independent Participatory Budgeting Unit to run projects.
o The Guide Neighbourhoods Programme: funding for the Guide areas, national sharing of learning.
o Funding for Gypsies & Travellers accommodation sites: was cut from £30m for one year to zero; but then business case made, support from Ministers secured, and back to £60m over 4 years. Limiting the cut to a vital budget to no more than halving it.
The Prospect of Your Voice Heard
How to get your voice heard:
• Party political contacts/networking
• Marketing your expertise nationally
• Cultivating working relationship with policy leads
• Organising yourself and others with shared concerns into a group with high visibility
What is Public Policy?
Public policy is why democratic control over state power is vital. A public policy is put in place in the name of our govt acting on our behalf and is binding on everyone. When people say “I can do this, it’s not against the law”, that presumes permission from public policy, a permission which could be withdrawn.
Public policy can take many forms:
• Law: restriction, duty, permission
• Organisation: structural changes, overseeing arrangements
• Opinion leadership: encouragement, admonition, criticism
• Partnership: collaboration, sharing of personnel, information, joint declarations
• Finance: tax, funding support, credits, subsidies, benefits
Who actually shapes Public Policy?
• Secretary of State, Ministers
• Special Advisers
• Policy Officials
• PM and Cabinet Colleagues
• MPs
• External Experts
• Commentators (Party Political and Non-Political)
• Stakeholders (those who can speak for those most likely to be affected)
How does the Policy Development Process work?
The generic process:
Minister’s request for action -> Policy Lead (Divisional Head/Deputy Director or Team/Branch Leader) -> Submission to Minister -> Minister’s response -> consultation -> Submission to Minister -> Ministerial approval -> implementation
Examples of 5 ways to get from an idea to a policy:
• Manifesto Commitment: the value of getting a specific policy proposal into a party’s manifesto commitment. But even the simplest of commitment could have complex implications in being translated into a viable policy. Examples: Community Call for Action; Planning Circulars.
• Legislate: A Bill or just a clause (scoping); Legal dimension (parliamentary counsel); New (Economic) Burden (assessment and budget); regulatory impact assessment; debates and amendments. Example: Duty to Promote Democracy.
• White Paper: useful to announce a set of related policies, pointing to what will be legislated, or what will be reviewed, also to signal areas where more initiatives may be developed.
• Review
o Minister-led: Example – Correctional Services Standards Board (chaired by Minister, Hilary Benn), restructuring of prison and probation services; guidelines on sentencing.
o Commission with an Independent Chair and members appointed: Example – Councillors Commission (chaired by Jane Roberts), drawing attention to under-representation of women, minority groups and young people; different electoral approaches; duty to promote democracy.
o Informal Review with an external expert invited to lead: Example – Quirk Review on Asset Transfer (Chaired by Barry Quirk, then Chief Executive of London Borough of Lewisham), guidelines; support programme via the Development Trust Association; asset lock approach to risk management.
• Initiatives
o Crime Reduction funding: bring different pots of money and different departmental strings into a single fund, AND divide it for the regions with each regional office developing with its local partners how best to allocate the money.
o Promotion of Participatory Budgeting: a promotional strategy; support independent Participatory Budgeting Unit to run projects.
o The Guide Neighbourhoods Programme: funding for the Guide areas, national sharing of learning.
o Funding for Gypsies & Travellers accommodation sites: was cut from £30m for one year to zero; but then business case made, support from Ministers secured, and back to £60m over 4 years. Limiting the cut to a vital budget to no more than halving it.
The Prospect of Your Voice Heard
How to get your voice heard:
• Party political contacts/networking
• Marketing your expertise nationally
• Cultivating working relationship with policy leads
• Organising yourself and others with shared concerns into a group with high visibility
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Next Phase of Arpinum's Looking Glass
This is the last post for Arpinum’s Looking Glass. After today, this webpage will provide updates on my work as a civic educator – logging those modest attempts to follow in the giant footsteps of Cicero, the sage of Arpinum. Cicero has been an inspirational figure to me because of his political determination to challenge those who sought to amass and abuse power; his philosophical commitment to displace falsehoods by reasoned arguments; and his ethical concern with sharing the lessons on the pursuit of the common good.
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