The materials that constitute the general theory of responsibility are to be found across a number of books and articles. An outline of the key ideas and their interconnections is set out in below, followed by a guide to the publications where detailed exposition of these ideas can be found. A three-part introduction to these ideas will also be posted on Question the Powerful (in May 2020).
Our aim is to explain why we should guide and encourage others to act responsibly, what that means in practice, and how to promote the socio-political conditions that are conducive to responsible behaviour at all levels.
[1] Mutual Responsibility
Our Concern for Each Other:
The starting point is the evolution of human connectedness that is reflected by the universal acknowledgement of the Golden Rule of behaviour – that we should act towards others as we would have them act towards us. This forms the basis of mutual responsibility, whereby we recognise the need to account for our behaviour to each other.
The Problem of Indifference:
Some people may lack concern for others because of emotionally damaging upbringing, acquired prejudice, unfortunate pathology, dogmatic embrace of egotism, or some other empathy-depleting factor.
Empathic Thoughtfulness:
We need to cultivate empathic thoughtfulness as a preventative measure in general, and as a restorative technique where necessary. People can learn to see others as fellow human beings and develop a sense of responsibility towards them.
Togetherness in Society:
We need socio-political actions to enhance togetherness across communities to connect people and build solidarity, including the development of shared mission, mutual respect, and coherent membership
[2] Cooperative Enquiry
Our Reasoning with Each Other:
Our concern for each other means that we want to do what is helpful and avoid what is harmful for one another, and this requires us to differentiate what merits our belief regarding the consequences of our actions. This in turn calls upon us to be prepared to subject any claims being considered by ourselves and others to a mutual empirical scrutiny that is embodied in cooperative enquiry, exemplified by scientific research, legal due process, and impartial public inquiry.
The Problem of Ignorance:
Some people may not be aware of the relevant facts because of a lack of information, their adherence to dogmas, being deceived, or finding the details or arguments too complex to follow.
Cognitive Thoughtfulness:
We need to cultivate cognitive thoughtfulness so that people learn to enhance their reasoning skills, appreciate what constitutes a proper exchange of evidence and comments, and assess with confidence the reliability of diverse sources of information based on their track record in conducting cooperative enquiry.
Objectivity in Society:
We need socio-political actions to promote objectivity across communities to improve people’s awareness of the consequences of their behaviour, including the development of collaborative learning, critical reviews, and responsible communication.
[3] Citizen Participation
Our Decision-Making Involving Each Other:
If we are to take into account the feelings and reasons others have before we decide on any course of action that can affect them, we need to find meaningful ways to involve others in our decision-making. We would want to be so involved ourselves when others make decisions that affect us. This is the relationship fostered by citizen participation – at the heart of the culture of democracy.
The Problem of Imposition:
Some people may act irresponsibly because they would not factor in others’ concerns in their decisions as a result of their own impatience, arrogance, or incompetence in reaching out. There are others whose options for responsible action are much curtailed because they have been left with little control over their lives by more powerful people.
Volitional Thoughtfulness:
We need to cultivate volitional thoughtfulness, both to guide those overlooking the input from others to adopt a more inclusive mindset in seeking the views of those whose lives are affected by their decisions, and to help those with less power in society to expand their influence.
Power Balance in Society:
We need socio-political actions to secure better power balance across communities to ensure genuine mutual consideration is given when key decisions are made, including the development of participatory decision-making, civic parity, and public accountability.
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Guide to Further Reading
For more on the central ideas of Mutual Responsibility, Cooperative Enquiry, and Citizen Participation:
[a] an introduction to what they involve and their policy implications – Communitarianism: a new agenda for politics & citizenship: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Communitarianism-New-Agenda-Politics-Citizenship/dp/0814782361
[b] a historical account of how the related ideas and practices have developed over time – The Evolution of Communitarian Ideas: https://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9783030265571
For more on the educational and wider civic actions needed to promote responsible attitudes and behaviour:
[a] a summary of the ideas and practices related to Empathic Thoughtfulness, Cognitive Thoughtfulness, and Volitional Thoughtfulness – Political Literacy & Civic Thoughtfulness: https://www.centreforwelfarereform.org/library/political-literacy-civic-thoughtful.html
[b] an extensive examination of why and how we should pursue the socio-political objectives of Togetherness, Objectivity, and Power Balance – Time to Save Democracy: https://policypress.co.uk/time-to-save-democracy
For more on the nature of Responsibility, and the problems of Indifference, Ignorance, and Imposition:
[a] a critical examination of the criteria for ascribing responsibility – A Philosophical Study of the Criteria for Responsibility Ascriptions: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philosophical-Study-Criteria-Responsibility-Ascriptions/dp/0889467862
[b] a collection of essays (by a range of experts) on the obstacles to responsible behaviour – Punishment, Excuses & Moral Development: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punishment-Excuses-Development-Avebury-Philosophy/dp/1859722601
For more on the effective approaches to advance responsible collective action through Citizen Participation:
[a] a collection of essays (by leading academics and practitioners) on how to improve state-citizen cooperation – Whose Government is it: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/whose-government-is-it
[b] a guide to the resources available to raise understanding of the value and practical application of citizen participation – Together We Can Resource Guide: https://hbtam.blogspot.com/2019/07/together-we-can-resource-guide.html
For more on the socio-political barriers to responsible behaviour:
[a] a collection of essays dealing with philosophical arguments as well as practical policy issues relating to the Problem of Ignorance – What Should Citizens Believe: https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Should-Citizens-Believe-Exploring/dp/1548183105
[b] a short global history on the undermining of Power Balance in society and how it could be tackled – Against Power Inequalities: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Against-Power-Inequalities-progressive-struggle-ebook/dp/B00RQQYA5M/
[c] a collection of essays (by progressive writers) on the vision and policies that can steer us away from the threats of irresponsible diktats and exploitative arrangements – Progressive Politics in the Global Age: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Progressive-Politics-Global-Age-Henry/dp/0745625797
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For ‘The General Theory of Responsibility (part 1), go to: https://henry-tam.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-general-theory-of-responsibility.html
For ‘The General Theory of Responsibility (part 2), go to: https://henry-tam.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-general-theory-of-responsibility_11.html
For ‘The General Theory of Responsibility (part 3), go to: https://henry-tam.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-general-theory-of-responsibility_21.html
Monday, August 3, 2020
Saturday, August 1, 2020
The QTP (Question the Powerful) Talks Series
• ‘How Can We Rebuild Trust in Democracy', Better Way event, 24/03/20 [QTP 123]
• ‘Deliberative Solutions for Complex Problems', Newham Democracy Commission, 25/11/19 [QTP 122]
• ‘Democracy: Key Threats & Potential Remedies’, at the Take Part event on 'Active Citizenship in the crisis of Democracy', 19/11/19 [QTP 121]
• ‘Making Democracy Real', at the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust's event, 'Shifting Power: Participation, Political Equality and Democracy', 17/7/19 [QTP 120]
• ‘Whose Government is it?', event at House of Lords to mark the publication of the book, 9/7/19 [QTP 119]
• ‘The Problem of Manipulative Authoritarianism', Robert Bosch Stiftung symposium with members of the Bundestag (Germany), held in Sofia, Bulgaria, 17/4/19 [QTP 118]
• ‘Cooperation Works: citizenship, cohesion and the skills agenda’, WEA (Eastern Region), Cambridge, 3/11/18 [QTP 117]
• ‘Dysfunctional Communities: Causes & Remedies’, London Leaders Programme, London Councils, 13/9/18 [QTP 116]
• ‘Succeeding through Collaborative Leadership’, Ministry of Defence, 9/5/18 [QTP 115]
• ‘Public Policy & the State of Democracy’, Cambridge University’s Centre for Science & Policy, Fellows Seminar, Cabinet Office, London, 18/4/18 [QTP 114]
• ‘Civic Engagement and Integration’, House of Lords, 29/11/17 [QTP 113]
• ‘Organisational Storytelling’, Civil Service College, 25-26/10/17 [QTP 112]
• 'Reimagining Your Future', Newham College, London, 6/3/17 [QTP 111]
• 'Getting the Best from People', workshop with the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Bristol, 14/2/17 [QTP 110]
• ‘Civic Engagement’, presentation to La Ligue de L’enseignement, Cambridge, 8/11/16 [QTP 109]
• ‘Taking Control of Our Lives’, Cambridge Commons, 1/10/16 [QTP 108]
• ‘Power, Reason & Social Purpose; the critical role of adult education’, WEA tutors conference, Cambridge, 27/5/16 [QTP 107]
• ‘Collaborative Leadership’, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Belfast, 4/5/16 [QTP 106]
• ‘A Recipe for Work, Life & Everything?’, Workers Educational Association, Cambridge, 2/4/16 [QTP 105]
• ‘The ‘Together We Can’ case study’, Civil Service College, 17/3/16 [QTP 104]
• ‘Commoning, Governments, & Cooperation’, at the Commons Strategies Group & Heinrich Boll Foundation event, ‘State Power and the Commons: Transcending a Problematic Relationship’, Germany, 29/2/16 [QTP 103]
• ‘Together We Can: Public Leadership', talk given to delegation of Indian Government's senior civil servants, 18/9/15 [QTP 102]
• ‘God, Goodness, & Great Britain’, address at the Suffolk Interfaith Resource/East of England Faith Agency conference on Human Rights, Religious Rights, and British Values, West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds, 9/7/15 [QTP 101]
• ‘Politics: what is it good for?’, a series of days schools with the WEA across the East of England (from Cambridge to Norwich) 28/2/15 – 25/4/15. [QTP 100]
• 'Future of Democracy in Britain’, Trades Union Council, Wisbech & March, 21/3/15. [QTP 99]
• 'Collaborative Leadership’, Scottish Housing Regulator, 24/2/15. [QTP 98]
• 'Cooperation, Communities, & the Cambridge Commons’, Cooperative Party, Cambridge, 18/2/15. [QTP 97]
• 'Succeeding through Collaborative Leadership’, Civil Service College, 17/12/14. [QTP 96]
• 'Politics: so what are you going to do?’, the British Chinese Project, London: 29/11/14. [QTP 95]
• ‘Austerity & Scapegoat Politics’, University of the 3rd Age, Cambridge: 12/11/14. [QTP 94]
• ‘What has politics ever done for us?’, address at WEA (Eastern Region AGM): 8/11/14. [QTP 93]
• ‘Youth & Democracy’, presentation at ‘Round table on youth participation and impact in democratic decision-making’, World Forum for Democracy, Council of Europe, Strasbourg: 3/11/14. [QTP 92]
• ‘Democracy through the Looking Glass’, presentation to sixth formers, St Albans Girls’ School, Hertfordshire: 25/9/14. [QTP 91]
• ‘Managing Ministerial Expectations’, Civil Service College: 18/9/14. [QTP 90]
• ‘Thriving on Diversity’, Civil Service College: 9/9/14. [QTP 89]
• ‘The Art of Making Science Work’, Implementing Implementation Science conference, East London Consortium of Educational Psychologists, Cambridge: 28/7/14. [QTP 88]
• ‘Co-operation versus Con-Operation’, Annual Conference, Confederation of Cooperative Housing, Manchester: 11/7/14. [QTP 87]
• ‘Novel Exploration of Inequality’, Adult Learners Week, WEA East Midlands, Nottingham: 19/6/14. [QTP 86]
• ‘10 Things to Know About Machiavelli’, for the Documentary Film Makers Cooperative, London: 18/5/14. [QTP 85]
• ‘Government: 1974-2014’, 40 Years of Change, South Canonry, Salisbury Cathedral Close: 3/5/14. [QTP 84]
• ‘Aspiration, Aptitude, Availability', Careers Day address, University of Cambridge, 2/5/14. [QTP 83]
• ‘Why Vote’, WEA, Deciding Locally campaign, broadcast interview: 22/4/14. [QTP 82]
• ‘Leadership in Policy Development’, session for Indonesian delegation, Civil Service College, London: 20/3/14. [QTP 81]
• ‘Socialism and Education’, Lecture to PDDE (Politics, Development, & Democratic Education) Masters Students, University of Cambridge: 7/11/13. [QTP 80]
• ‘Enlightened Learning & the Cooperative Gestalt’, Power of Adult Learning, (joint conference by Learning Link Scotland, WEA Scotland, the Scottish Community Development Centre, Dyslexia Scotland, and Lead Scotland), University of Edinburgh: 23/10/13. [QTP 79]
• ‘Will this be the Plutocratic Century?’, CRASSH (Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities), University of Cambridge: 13/5/13. [QTP 78]
• ‘Left with a Hard Choice’, Fabians & Cooperative Party event, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge: 7/5/13. [QTP 77]
• ‘Democracy: Lessons in Cooperative Problem-Solving’, Youth has Impact Conference, Field of Dialogue Foundation & Civis Polonus Foundation, Warsaw, Poland: 15/3/13. [QTP 76]
• ‘Cooperative Problem-Solving’, Take Part Network event What Next for Community-Based Learning, London: 6/3/13. [QTP 75]
• ‘Community Development at the Crossroads’, Keib Thomas Memorial Seminar, CDNL (Community Development Network, London), London Metropolitan University: 13/2/13. [QTP 74]
• ‘Education for Democracy: cooperative problem-solving’, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge: 12 &13 September/2012. [QTP 73]
• ‘Positive Change Through Social Action’, WEA Oxford: 18/5/12. [QTP 72]
• ‘Education with a Social Purpose’, WEA North East, Newcastle: 4/5/12. [QTP 71]
• ‘Whose Politics is it anyway?’, Chinese for Labour, London: 29/2/12. [QTP 70]
• ‘An Insider Look at Public Policy Development’, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge: 1/2/12. [QTP 69]
• ‘Reciprocity Lost: the origins, breakdown and renewal of reciprocal society’, WEA bi-annual conference, Nottingham University, Nottingham: 29/10/11. [QTP 68]
• ‘Democratic Participation and Learning Leadership’, Challenges of Civic Participation conference at the Sociology Institute, University of Warsaw, Poland: 15/4/11. [QTP 67]
• ‘Take Part in Changing Times’, Take Part Conference, London: 9/2/11. [QTP 66]
• ‘Top Ten Myths about Empowerment’, Faith Communities: Empowering Communities, the Church Action on Poverty National Conference, Broxbourne: 3/3/09. [QTP 65]
• ‘Empowerment in Britain’, session for delegation from South Africa, National School of Government, London: 11/2/09. [QTP 64]
• ‘Together We Can tackle the power gap’, The Frontiers of Innovation Conference: 20 Years of Innovation in Government, the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, University of Harvard, USA: 1/4/08. [QTP 63]
• ‘Citizen Engagement’, Public Engagement in Local Government: Empowering Citizens to shape their Communities, CAPITA conference, London: 6/11/08. [QTP 62]
• ‘Faith & Cohesion’, Religion & Community Cohesion Workshop, Dept of Politics & International Relations, Royal Holloway College, University of London: 18/6/08. [QTP 61]
• ‘Learning from Communities’, IDeA sponsored conference on Community Consultation, 28/6/07. [QTP 60]
• ‘BBC and community empowerment’, presentation to BBC news editors, convened by Kevin Marsh (Editor of the Today Programme), London: 21/2/06. [QTP 59]
• ‘Re-engaging your community’, LGC (Local Government Chronicle) conference, London: 21/2/06. [QTP 58]
• ‘Building Stronger Communities’, NLGN/IDeA conference, London: 2/2/06. [QTP 57]
• ‘Community Engagement’, CPPS seminar, London: 26/1/06. [QTP 56]
• ‘Identity, Ethnic Diversity and Community Cohesion’, Runnymede & ESRC Identities Programme Roundtable, London: 21/9/05. [QTP 55]
• ‘Making Community Engagement a Priority in Citizenship Education’, joint DfES/Home Office seminar with Ministers, London: 15/6/05. [QTP 54]
• ‘The Politics of Civic Anxiety’, public seminar, the Centre for Advanced Study of the Social Sciences, University of Oxford: 18/5/05. [QTP 53]
• ‘Civil Renewal: Together We Can’, Joseph Chamberlain Lecture, Birmingham: 21/4/05. [QTP 52]
• ‘Neighbourhood Governance’, Fabian Society, LGIU, UNISON Policy Seminar, London: 10/2/05. [QTP 51]
• ‘Local Government and Civil Renewal’, CPPS conference on the future of local government, London: 14/12/04. [QTP 50]
• ‘Together We Can’, conference on community engagement and civil renewal with Home Secretary & other Ministers, London: 8/12/04. [QTP 49]
• ‘Civic Pioneers’, Home Office launch event, Birmingham: 9/9/04. [QTP 48]
• ‘The Role of Civil Renewal’, CLES Inclusive Regeneration Summer School, Manchester: 29/6/04. [QTP 47]
• ‘Higher Education and Community Partnerships’, the Annual Higher Education and Community Partnership Conference, University of London: 19/5/04. [QTP 46]
• ‘Civil Renewal: in theory & practice’, South West Regional Seminar, University of Plymouth: 13/5/04. [QTP 45]
• ‘Civil Renewal’, seminar with Home Secretary and the Home Office Ministerial team, London: 17/12/03. [QTP 44]
• ‘Power and Civil Renewal’, Urban Forum Annual Conference, London: 2/12/03. [QTP 43]
• ‘Communitarian Democracy’, Bertelsmann Stiftung, International Workshop on Participative Democracy, Berlin: 16/10/03. [QTP 42]
• ‘The Future of Community Development’, 21st Century Community Development conference, the Standing Conference for Community Development, Lougborough: 11/10/03. [QTP 41]
• ‘Social Democracy in the Global Age’, Fabian Society Roundtable: 21/5/02. [QTP 40]
• ‘Delivering Crime Reduction’, Ministerial Seminar, the Home Office, Queen Anne’s Gate, London: 9/1/02. [QTP 39]
• ‘Equality & Diversity’, launch of the Black & Minority Ethnic Network (East of England), Cambridge: 9/4/01. [QTP 38]
• ‘Tackling Crime Together’, Home Office Conference with the Home Secretary, Cambridge: 17/2/01. [QTP 37]
• ‘Crime Reduction’, national public policy seminar, London: 18/1/01. [QTP 36]
• ‘Citizenship at the community level’, Philosophical Quarterly conference, Citizens: Towards a Citizens Culture: 13/11/00. [QTP 35]
• ‘Forging a New Ireland: a communitarian approach to deepening democracy’, the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, Summer School, Forging a Communitarian Ireland: The deepening of democracy and civil society, Ireland: 25/8/00. [QTP 34]
• ‘Inclusive communities and global governance’, 12th Annual Conference of the Society for Socio-Economics, London School of Economics: 8/7/00. [QTP 33]
• ‘Is there a Third Way to bridge Divided Communities?’, Citizens OnLine Conference, BAFTA, London: 23/5/00. [QTP 32]
• ‘What are Communities?’, Society for Applied Philosophy, Are Cities Communities? Workshop, Senate House, University of London: 4/3/00. [QTP 31]
• ‘What is Consultation about?’, Joined Up Listening conference, West Midlands Local Government Association: 24/11/99. [QTP 30]
• ‘The Progressive Path to Inclusive Communities’, the School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham: 23/11/99. [QTP 29]
• 'Inclusive Communities', United Nations Association Conference, The Making of the Third Millennium, St Edmundsbury Cathedral: 15/6/99. [QTP 28]
• 'Citizenship Education: communitarian versus individualist perspectives', Philosophy & Education Renewal Group, University of North London: 15/5/99. [QTP 27]
• 'Communitarianism, Power & Citizenship', Communitarian Summit, Washington, USA: 27/2/99. [QTP 26]
• 'Are there common values to be taught?', International CSV Learning and Serving Together Conference: 4/12/97. [QTP 25]
• 'The Future of Social and Moral Education', Communitarian Forum Workshop, St Edmunds College, Cambridge: 26/4/97. [QTP 24]
• 'Communitarian Politics: Past, Present & Future', Joint Conference for St John's and St Anne's, University of Oxford: 20/2/97. [QTP 23]
• 'Education for Citizens', seminar, the Philosophy of Education Society meeting, Cambridge: 30/1/97. [QTP 22]
• 'Democratic Schools', CSV Education Conference, Service Learning: 12/11/96. [QTP 21]
• 'Communitarian Management', the UK Management Development Network Seminar, London: 23/10/96. [QTP 20]
• 'Communitarianism', the Cambridge World Issues Group: 31/7/96. [QTP 19]
• 'Communitarianism & Humanism', the South Place Ethical Society: 14/1/96. [QTP 18]
• 'Communities, Communitarianism and Local Democracy', the ADC (Association of District Councils) Seminar on Community Governance: 15/12/95. [QTP 17]
• 'From Public-versus-Private to Communitarian Management', the Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge: 9/11/95. [QTP 16]
• 'From Markets to Communities', the Local Government Information Services, national conference, Bedfordshire: 21/8/95. [QTP 15]
• 'Communitarian Marketing', Anglia Business School, Cambridge: 29/6/95. [QTP 14]
• ‘Crime & Society’, the Society for Applied Philosophy's 1995 Conference: 19/5/95. [QTP 13]
• 'Public Health: from Customers to Citizens', 5th Annual Symposium of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Girton College, Cambridge: 31/3/95. [QTP 12]
• 'Interagency Charter', the Cabinet Office's Citizens Charter Conference: 5/12/94. [QTP 11]
• 'Marketing & the Public Sector', Oxford Brookes University's Business School Marketing Forum: 1/12/94. [QTP 10]
• ‘Citizens & Government Institutions’, national conference Cities of Pride: Rejuvenating Britain for the Third Millennium, Birmingham: 19/11/94. [QTP 9]
• 'Marketing & Competition in the Public Sector', the Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge: 8/11/94. [QTP 8]
• 'Criminals and Citizens: the Quest for Responsibility', the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Philosophy Group: 24/11/93. [QTP 7]
• 'Citizenship and Participatory Democracy', the Centre for Citizenship Development's Open Workshop, St. Edmund's College, University of Cambridge: 6/11/93. [QTP 6]
• 'Marketing and Citizenship in the Public Sector', Anglia Business School: 4/11/93. [QTP 5]
• 'Raising Ethical Awareness in Large Organisations', the Inaugural Meeting of the Ethical Business Forum, London Business School: 26/10/93. [QTP 4]
• 'The Rise of Communitarianism', the Centre for Citizenship Development seminar, St. Edmund's College, University of Cambridge: 16/10/93. [QTP 3]
• 'Crime & Diminished Responsibility', the Society for Applied Philosophy's London Workshop: 6/3/93. [QTP 2]
• 'The Core Values of Public Service', the School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham: 7/5/91. [QTP 1]
• ‘Deliberative Solutions for Complex Problems', Newham Democracy Commission, 25/11/19 [QTP 122]
• ‘Democracy: Key Threats & Potential Remedies’, at the Take Part event on 'Active Citizenship in the crisis of Democracy', 19/11/19 [QTP 121]
• ‘Making Democracy Real', at the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust's event, 'Shifting Power: Participation, Political Equality and Democracy', 17/7/19 [QTP 120]
• ‘Whose Government is it?', event at House of Lords to mark the publication of the book, 9/7/19 [QTP 119]
• ‘The Problem of Manipulative Authoritarianism', Robert Bosch Stiftung symposium with members of the Bundestag (Germany), held in Sofia, Bulgaria, 17/4/19 [QTP 118]
• ‘Cooperation Works: citizenship, cohesion and the skills agenda’, WEA (Eastern Region), Cambridge, 3/11/18 [QTP 117]
• ‘Dysfunctional Communities: Causes & Remedies’, London Leaders Programme, London Councils, 13/9/18 [QTP 116]
• ‘Succeeding through Collaborative Leadership’, Ministry of Defence, 9/5/18 [QTP 115]
• ‘Public Policy & the State of Democracy’, Cambridge University’s Centre for Science & Policy, Fellows Seminar, Cabinet Office, London, 18/4/18 [QTP 114]
• ‘Civic Engagement and Integration’, House of Lords, 29/11/17 [QTP 113]
• ‘Organisational Storytelling’, Civil Service College, 25-26/10/17 [QTP 112]
• 'Reimagining Your Future', Newham College, London, 6/3/17 [QTP 111]
• 'Getting the Best from People', workshop with the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Bristol, 14/2/17 [QTP 110]
• ‘Civic Engagement’, presentation to La Ligue de L’enseignement, Cambridge, 8/11/16 [QTP 109]
• ‘Taking Control of Our Lives’, Cambridge Commons, 1/10/16 [QTP 108]
• ‘Power, Reason & Social Purpose; the critical role of adult education’, WEA tutors conference, Cambridge, 27/5/16 [QTP 107]
• ‘Collaborative Leadership’, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Belfast, 4/5/16 [QTP 106]
• ‘A Recipe for Work, Life & Everything?’, Workers Educational Association, Cambridge, 2/4/16 [QTP 105]
• ‘The ‘Together We Can’ case study’, Civil Service College, 17/3/16 [QTP 104]
• ‘Commoning, Governments, & Cooperation’, at the Commons Strategies Group & Heinrich Boll Foundation event, ‘State Power and the Commons: Transcending a Problematic Relationship’, Germany, 29/2/16 [QTP 103]
• ‘Together We Can: Public Leadership', talk given to delegation of Indian Government's senior civil servants, 18/9/15 [QTP 102]
• ‘God, Goodness, & Great Britain’, address at the Suffolk Interfaith Resource/East of England Faith Agency conference on Human Rights, Religious Rights, and British Values, West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds, 9/7/15 [QTP 101]
• ‘Politics: what is it good for?’, a series of days schools with the WEA across the East of England (from Cambridge to Norwich) 28/2/15 – 25/4/15. [QTP 100]
• 'Future of Democracy in Britain’, Trades Union Council, Wisbech & March, 21/3/15. [QTP 99]
• 'Collaborative Leadership’, Scottish Housing Regulator, 24/2/15. [QTP 98]
• 'Cooperation, Communities, & the Cambridge Commons’, Cooperative Party, Cambridge, 18/2/15. [QTP 97]
• 'Succeeding through Collaborative Leadership’, Civil Service College, 17/12/14. [QTP 96]
• 'Politics: so what are you going to do?’, the British Chinese Project, London: 29/11/14. [QTP 95]
• ‘Austerity & Scapegoat Politics’, University of the 3rd Age, Cambridge: 12/11/14. [QTP 94]
• ‘What has politics ever done for us?’, address at WEA (Eastern Region AGM): 8/11/14. [QTP 93]
• ‘Youth & Democracy’, presentation at ‘Round table on youth participation and impact in democratic decision-making’, World Forum for Democracy, Council of Europe, Strasbourg: 3/11/14. [QTP 92]
• ‘Democracy through the Looking Glass’, presentation to sixth formers, St Albans Girls’ School, Hertfordshire: 25/9/14. [QTP 91]
• ‘Managing Ministerial Expectations’, Civil Service College: 18/9/14. [QTP 90]
• ‘Thriving on Diversity’, Civil Service College: 9/9/14. [QTP 89]
• ‘The Art of Making Science Work’, Implementing Implementation Science conference, East London Consortium of Educational Psychologists, Cambridge: 28/7/14. [QTP 88]
• ‘Co-operation versus Con-Operation’, Annual Conference, Confederation of Cooperative Housing, Manchester: 11/7/14. [QTP 87]
• ‘Novel Exploration of Inequality’, Adult Learners Week, WEA East Midlands, Nottingham: 19/6/14. [QTP 86]
• ‘10 Things to Know About Machiavelli’, for the Documentary Film Makers Cooperative, London: 18/5/14. [QTP 85]
• ‘Government: 1974-2014’, 40 Years of Change, South Canonry, Salisbury Cathedral Close: 3/5/14. [QTP 84]
• ‘Aspiration, Aptitude, Availability', Careers Day address, University of Cambridge, 2/5/14. [QTP 83]
• ‘Why Vote’, WEA, Deciding Locally campaign, broadcast interview: 22/4/14. [QTP 82]
• ‘Leadership in Policy Development’, session for Indonesian delegation, Civil Service College, London: 20/3/14. [QTP 81]
• ‘Socialism and Education’, Lecture to PDDE (Politics, Development, & Democratic Education) Masters Students, University of Cambridge: 7/11/13. [QTP 80]
• ‘Enlightened Learning & the Cooperative Gestalt’, Power of Adult Learning, (joint conference by Learning Link Scotland, WEA Scotland, the Scottish Community Development Centre, Dyslexia Scotland, and Lead Scotland), University of Edinburgh: 23/10/13. [QTP 79]
• ‘Will this be the Plutocratic Century?’, CRASSH (Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities), University of Cambridge: 13/5/13. [QTP 78]
• ‘Left with a Hard Choice’, Fabians & Cooperative Party event, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge: 7/5/13. [QTP 77]
• ‘Democracy: Lessons in Cooperative Problem-Solving’, Youth has Impact Conference, Field of Dialogue Foundation & Civis Polonus Foundation, Warsaw, Poland: 15/3/13. [QTP 76]
• ‘Cooperative Problem-Solving’, Take Part Network event What Next for Community-Based Learning, London: 6/3/13. [QTP 75]
• ‘Community Development at the Crossroads’, Keib Thomas Memorial Seminar, CDNL (Community Development Network, London), London Metropolitan University: 13/2/13. [QTP 74]
• ‘Education for Democracy: cooperative problem-solving’, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge: 12 &13 September/2012. [QTP 73]
• ‘Positive Change Through Social Action’, WEA Oxford: 18/5/12. [QTP 72]
• ‘Education with a Social Purpose’, WEA North East, Newcastle: 4/5/12. [QTP 71]
• ‘Whose Politics is it anyway?’, Chinese for Labour, London: 29/2/12. [QTP 70]
• ‘An Insider Look at Public Policy Development’, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge: 1/2/12. [QTP 69]
• ‘Reciprocity Lost: the origins, breakdown and renewal of reciprocal society’, WEA bi-annual conference, Nottingham University, Nottingham: 29/10/11. [QTP 68]
• ‘Democratic Participation and Learning Leadership’, Challenges of Civic Participation conference at the Sociology Institute, University of Warsaw, Poland: 15/4/11. [QTP 67]
• ‘Take Part in Changing Times’, Take Part Conference, London: 9/2/11. [QTP 66]
• ‘Top Ten Myths about Empowerment’, Faith Communities: Empowering Communities, the Church Action on Poverty National Conference, Broxbourne: 3/3/09. [QTP 65]
• ‘Empowerment in Britain’, session for delegation from South Africa, National School of Government, London: 11/2/09. [QTP 64]
• ‘Together We Can tackle the power gap’, The Frontiers of Innovation Conference: 20 Years of Innovation in Government, the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, University of Harvard, USA: 1/4/08. [QTP 63]
• ‘Citizen Engagement’, Public Engagement in Local Government: Empowering Citizens to shape their Communities, CAPITA conference, London: 6/11/08. [QTP 62]
• ‘Faith & Cohesion’, Religion & Community Cohesion Workshop, Dept of Politics & International Relations, Royal Holloway College, University of London: 18/6/08. [QTP 61]
• ‘Learning from Communities’, IDeA sponsored conference on Community Consultation, 28/6/07. [QTP 60]
• ‘BBC and community empowerment’, presentation to BBC news editors, convened by Kevin Marsh (Editor of the Today Programme), London: 21/2/06. [QTP 59]
• ‘Re-engaging your community’, LGC (Local Government Chronicle) conference, London: 21/2/06. [QTP 58]
• ‘Building Stronger Communities’, NLGN/IDeA conference, London: 2/2/06. [QTP 57]
• ‘Community Engagement’, CPPS seminar, London: 26/1/06. [QTP 56]
• ‘Identity, Ethnic Diversity and Community Cohesion’, Runnymede & ESRC Identities Programme Roundtable, London: 21/9/05. [QTP 55]
• ‘Making Community Engagement a Priority in Citizenship Education’, joint DfES/Home Office seminar with Ministers, London: 15/6/05. [QTP 54]
• ‘The Politics of Civic Anxiety’, public seminar, the Centre for Advanced Study of the Social Sciences, University of Oxford: 18/5/05. [QTP 53]
• ‘Civil Renewal: Together We Can’, Joseph Chamberlain Lecture, Birmingham: 21/4/05. [QTP 52]
• ‘Neighbourhood Governance’, Fabian Society, LGIU, UNISON Policy Seminar, London: 10/2/05. [QTP 51]
• ‘Local Government and Civil Renewal’, CPPS conference on the future of local government, London: 14/12/04. [QTP 50]
• ‘Together We Can’, conference on community engagement and civil renewal with Home Secretary & other Ministers, London: 8/12/04. [QTP 49]
• ‘Civic Pioneers’, Home Office launch event, Birmingham: 9/9/04. [QTP 48]
• ‘The Role of Civil Renewal’, CLES Inclusive Regeneration Summer School, Manchester: 29/6/04. [QTP 47]
• ‘Higher Education and Community Partnerships’, the Annual Higher Education and Community Partnership Conference, University of London: 19/5/04. [QTP 46]
• ‘Civil Renewal: in theory & practice’, South West Regional Seminar, University of Plymouth: 13/5/04. [QTP 45]
• ‘Civil Renewal’, seminar with Home Secretary and the Home Office Ministerial team, London: 17/12/03. [QTP 44]
• ‘Power and Civil Renewal’, Urban Forum Annual Conference, London: 2/12/03. [QTP 43]
• ‘Communitarian Democracy’, Bertelsmann Stiftung, International Workshop on Participative Democracy, Berlin: 16/10/03. [QTP 42]
• ‘The Future of Community Development’, 21st Century Community Development conference, the Standing Conference for Community Development, Lougborough: 11/10/03. [QTP 41]
• ‘Social Democracy in the Global Age’, Fabian Society Roundtable: 21/5/02. [QTP 40]
• ‘Delivering Crime Reduction’, Ministerial Seminar, the Home Office, Queen Anne’s Gate, London: 9/1/02. [QTP 39]
• ‘Equality & Diversity’, launch of the Black & Minority Ethnic Network (East of England), Cambridge: 9/4/01. [QTP 38]
• ‘Tackling Crime Together’, Home Office Conference with the Home Secretary, Cambridge: 17/2/01. [QTP 37]
• ‘Crime Reduction’, national public policy seminar, London: 18/1/01. [QTP 36]
• ‘Citizenship at the community level’, Philosophical Quarterly conference, Citizens: Towards a Citizens Culture: 13/11/00. [QTP 35]
• ‘Forging a New Ireland: a communitarian approach to deepening democracy’, the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, Summer School, Forging a Communitarian Ireland: The deepening of democracy and civil society, Ireland: 25/8/00. [QTP 34]
• ‘Inclusive communities and global governance’, 12th Annual Conference of the Society for Socio-Economics, London School of Economics: 8/7/00. [QTP 33]
• ‘Is there a Third Way to bridge Divided Communities?’, Citizens OnLine Conference, BAFTA, London: 23/5/00. [QTP 32]
• ‘What are Communities?’, Society for Applied Philosophy, Are Cities Communities? Workshop, Senate House, University of London: 4/3/00. [QTP 31]
• ‘What is Consultation about?’, Joined Up Listening conference, West Midlands Local Government Association: 24/11/99. [QTP 30]
• ‘The Progressive Path to Inclusive Communities’, the School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham: 23/11/99. [QTP 29]
• 'Inclusive Communities', United Nations Association Conference, The Making of the Third Millennium, St Edmundsbury Cathedral: 15/6/99. [QTP 28]
• 'Citizenship Education: communitarian versus individualist perspectives', Philosophy & Education Renewal Group, University of North London: 15/5/99. [QTP 27]
• 'Communitarianism, Power & Citizenship', Communitarian Summit, Washington, USA: 27/2/99. [QTP 26]
• 'Are there common values to be taught?', International CSV Learning and Serving Together Conference: 4/12/97. [QTP 25]
• 'The Future of Social and Moral Education', Communitarian Forum Workshop, St Edmunds College, Cambridge: 26/4/97. [QTP 24]
• 'Communitarian Politics: Past, Present & Future', Joint Conference for St John's and St Anne's, University of Oxford: 20/2/97. [QTP 23]
• 'Education for Citizens', seminar, the Philosophy of Education Society meeting, Cambridge: 30/1/97. [QTP 22]
• 'Democratic Schools', CSV Education Conference, Service Learning: 12/11/96. [QTP 21]
• 'Communitarian Management', the UK Management Development Network Seminar, London: 23/10/96. [QTP 20]
• 'Communitarianism', the Cambridge World Issues Group: 31/7/96. [QTP 19]
• 'Communitarianism & Humanism', the South Place Ethical Society: 14/1/96. [QTP 18]
• 'Communities, Communitarianism and Local Democracy', the ADC (Association of District Councils) Seminar on Community Governance: 15/12/95. [QTP 17]
• 'From Public-versus-Private to Communitarian Management', the Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge: 9/11/95. [QTP 16]
• 'From Markets to Communities', the Local Government Information Services, national conference, Bedfordshire: 21/8/95. [QTP 15]
• 'Communitarian Marketing', Anglia Business School, Cambridge: 29/6/95. [QTP 14]
• ‘Crime & Society’, the Society for Applied Philosophy's 1995 Conference: 19/5/95. [QTP 13]
• 'Public Health: from Customers to Citizens', 5th Annual Symposium of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Girton College, Cambridge: 31/3/95. [QTP 12]
• 'Interagency Charter', the Cabinet Office's Citizens Charter Conference: 5/12/94. [QTP 11]
• 'Marketing & the Public Sector', Oxford Brookes University's Business School Marketing Forum: 1/12/94. [QTP 10]
• ‘Citizens & Government Institutions’, national conference Cities of Pride: Rejuvenating Britain for the Third Millennium, Birmingham: 19/11/94. [QTP 9]
• 'Marketing & Competition in the Public Sector', the Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge: 8/11/94. [QTP 8]
• 'Criminals and Citizens: the Quest for Responsibility', the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Philosophy Group: 24/11/93. [QTP 7]
• 'Citizenship and Participatory Democracy', the Centre for Citizenship Development's Open Workshop, St. Edmund's College, University of Cambridge: 6/11/93. [QTP 6]
• 'Marketing and Citizenship in the Public Sector', Anglia Business School: 4/11/93. [QTP 5]
• 'Raising Ethical Awareness in Large Organisations', the Inaugural Meeting of the Ethical Business Forum, London Business School: 26/10/93. [QTP 4]
• 'The Rise of Communitarianism', the Centre for Citizenship Development seminar, St. Edmund's College, University of Cambridge: 16/10/93. [QTP 3]
• 'Crime & Diminished Responsibility', the Society for Applied Philosophy's London Workshop: 6/3/93. [QTP 2]
• 'The Core Values of Public Service', the School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham: 7/5/91. [QTP 1]
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Together We Can: a resource guide
Together We Can is a series of practical resources for cooperative problem-solving named after the policy programme developed by Henry Tam when he was the Government’s Head of Civil Renewal (Home Office), and later Deputy Director in charge of Community Empowerment Delivery (Dept for Communities & Local Government) between 2003 and 2010. The resources include both reports/advice that grew directly out of his policy work, and supplementary papers and presentations by him to highlight the key lessons for community activists and public policy makers on how citizens can cooperate together to solve the problems they face.
Together We Can: resources from the civil renewal programme
• ‘Active Citizens, Strong Communities – progressing civil renewal’: a pamphlet setting out the Home Secretary’s core objectives and policies.
• ‘Together We Can’ action plan: the cross-government plan with commitments in the key public policy areas.
• Annex to ‘Together We Can’ action plan: with details of the proposed initiatives.
• ‘Together We Can’ 2005/2006 review: reports from the Secretaries of State and Ministers on progress in 12 Government Departments.
• ‘Take Part’: resources for ‘Active Learning for Active Citizenship’.
• ‘Guide Neighbourhoods’: how communities can learn cooperative problem-solving and civic activism from each other.
• Civic Pioneers (report for the Civil Renewal Unit): an introduction to how a group of local authorities set about enhancing their democratic engagement with local people (2005).
• ’Civic Pioneers Case Study Review’: case studies of collaborative working between local authorities and citizens to improve local quality of life. (2008)
• ‘Quirk Review’: report on community management and ownership of public assets).
• ‘Asset Transfer Unit’: resources to support the transfer of assets to community-based organisations.
• ‘Participatory Budgeting’: resources to expand the use of participatory budgeting in deciding how to allocate public resources.
• ‘Councillors Commission’: report with recommendations on how to improve the democratic role of elected local councillors.
Together We Can: supplementary resources by Henry Tam on cooperative problem-solving
• ‘Cooperative Problem-Solving & Education': on the evidence for suggesting why cooperative problem-solving should be taught more widely (published by the Forum Journal, 2013).
• ‘Rejuvenating Democracy: lessons from a communitarian experiment’: a review of the Together We Can programme (Forum Journal, Vol 53, Number 3, 2011)
• '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).
• Putting Citizens First, with John Stewart (Municipal Journal/SOLACE – Society of Local Authority Chief Executives: 1997)
• Marketing, Competition & the Public Sector, ed. by Henry Tam (Longman: 1994)
• Citizenship Development: Towards an Organisational Model (LGMB – Local Government Management Board: 1994)
• Serving the Public: customer management in local government, by Henry Tam (Longman: 1993)
• ‘Together We Can tackle the power gap’: presentation on Innovations in Participation: Citizen Engagement in Deliberative Democracy, at the ‘Frontiers of Innovation Conference: Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation in Government’ (the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, 1 April 2008, Harvard, USA) [Henry Tam’s presentation begins at 33.40 minutes into the video]
Together We Can: resources from the civil renewal programme
• ‘Active Citizens, Strong Communities – progressing civil renewal’: a pamphlet setting out the Home Secretary’s core objectives and policies.
• ‘Together We Can’ action plan: the cross-government plan with commitments in the key public policy areas.
• Annex to ‘Together We Can’ action plan: with details of the proposed initiatives.
• ‘Together We Can’ 2005/2006 review: reports from the Secretaries of State and Ministers on progress in 12 Government Departments.
• ‘Take Part’: resources for ‘Active Learning for Active Citizenship’.
• ‘Guide Neighbourhoods’: how communities can learn cooperative problem-solving and civic activism from each other.
• Civic Pioneers (report for the Civil Renewal Unit): an introduction to how a group of local authorities set about enhancing their democratic engagement with local people (2005).
• ’Civic Pioneers Case Study Review’: case studies of collaborative working between local authorities and citizens to improve local quality of life. (2008)
• ‘Quirk Review’: report on community management and ownership of public assets).
• ‘Asset Transfer Unit’: resources to support the transfer of assets to community-based organisations.
• ‘Participatory Budgeting’: resources to expand the use of participatory budgeting in deciding how to allocate public resources.
• ‘Councillors Commission’: report with recommendations on how to improve the democratic role of elected local councillors.
Together We Can: supplementary resources by Henry Tam on cooperative problem-solving
• ‘Cooperative Problem-Solving & Education': on the evidence for suggesting why cooperative problem-solving should be taught more widely (published by the Forum Journal, 2013).
• ‘Rejuvenating Democracy: lessons from a communitarian experiment’: a review of the Together We Can programme (Forum Journal, Vol 53, Number 3, 2011)
• '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).
• Putting Citizens First, with John Stewart (Municipal Journal/SOLACE – Society of Local Authority Chief Executives: 1997)
• Marketing, Competition & the Public Sector, ed. by Henry Tam (Longman: 1994)
• Citizenship Development: Towards an Organisational Model (LGMB – Local Government Management Board: 1994)
• Serving the Public: customer management in local government, by Henry Tam (Longman: 1993)
• ‘Together We Can tackle the power gap’: presentation on Innovations in Participation: Citizen Engagement in Deliberative Democracy, at the ‘Frontiers of Innovation Conference: Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation in Government’ (the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, 1 April 2008, Harvard, USA) [Henry Tam’s presentation begins at 33.40 minutes into the video]
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Question the Powerful: a resource guide
The ‘Question the Powerful’ blog: https://henry-tam.blogspot.co.uk
A selection of QTP essays
• 'The Cooperative Gestalt': on the role of lifelong learning in developing a cooperative mindset (Question the Powerful, November 2013).
• ‘Cooperative Problem-Solving: the key to a reciprocal society’: on the key elements of successful cooperative problem-solving, as jointly agreed with a group of academics and practitioners (Question the Powerful, October 2012).
• ‘The Case for Cooperative Problem-Solving’: how cooperative problem-solving can help to tackle social, economic and environmental problems (Question the Powerful, May, 2012).
• 'The S Word’: on what subsidiarity should mean in practice (2008).
Synetopia Resources
• Synetopia Protocol: a protocol for assessing how well any group or organisation is run to enhance the common wellbeing of its members through cooperation (2015).
• ’Guide to Synetopia’: a listing of short essays relating to the concept of synetopia and its applications to reforming society and institutions (2016).
• 'The Cooperative Gestalt Approach to CSR': practical implications for corporate social responsibility (2015).
Presentations
• ’Learning more about Cooperative Gestalt’: Notes from keynote speech, ‘Power of Adult Learning’ conference (University of Edinburgh, 23 October 2013).
• 'Niccolo Machiavelli’: an interview with Henry Tam on Machiavelli’s advice on civic republican leadership (2014).
• ‘Awareness, Agitation, Action’: presentation to WEA Oxford (May 18 2012) – Part 1 & Part 2
For a listing of ‘Question the Powerful’ essays, see: ’Question the Powerful' essays
A selection of QTP essays
• 'The Cooperative Gestalt': on the role of lifelong learning in developing a cooperative mindset (Question the Powerful, November 2013).
• ‘Cooperative Problem-Solving: the key to a reciprocal society’: on the key elements of successful cooperative problem-solving, as jointly agreed with a group of academics and practitioners (Question the Powerful, October 2012).
• ‘The Case for Cooperative Problem-Solving’: how cooperative problem-solving can help to tackle social, economic and environmental problems (Question the Powerful, May, 2012).
• 'The S Word’: on what subsidiarity should mean in practice (2008).
Synetopia Resources
• Synetopia Protocol: a protocol for assessing how well any group or organisation is run to enhance the common wellbeing of its members through cooperation (2015).
• ’Guide to Synetopia’: a listing of short essays relating to the concept of synetopia and its applications to reforming society and institutions (2016).
• 'The Cooperative Gestalt Approach to CSR': practical implications for corporate social responsibility (2015).
Presentations
• ’Learning more about Cooperative Gestalt’: Notes from keynote speech, ‘Power of Adult Learning’ conference (University of Edinburgh, 23 October 2013).
• 'Niccolo Machiavelli’: an interview with Henry Tam on Machiavelli’s advice on civic republican leadership (2014).
• ‘Awareness, Agitation, Action’: presentation to WEA Oxford (May 18 2012) – Part 1 & Part 2
For a listing of ‘Question the Powerful’ essays, see: ’Question the Powerful' essays
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Henry Tam & Question the Powerful
Dr. Henry Benedict Tam has written about politics and society in a wide range of publications ('HT: Bibliography'). He has been invited to present his ideas at events hosted by state and non-governmental institutions in Europe and the US.
The Question the Powerful project disseminates ideas and findings based on the work he has carried out in a variety of educational and policy roles: Director, Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy (University of Cambridge); Head of Civil Renewal (Home Office, UK Government); Visiting Professor, Lifelong Learning (Birkbeck, University of London); Director, Community Safety & Regeneration (Government Office, East of England); Chair, Communitarian Forum (St Edmunds College, University of Cambridge).
Catch up with his political reflections on the Question the Powerful blog; and follow his tweets on current events via @HenryBTam. More information about the available learning resources are set out below:
KEY PUBLICATIONS
[1] Political Ideas
Works that examine the key ideas relating to governance, responsibility, community, democracy, and citizenship; and explain how a civic-communitarian approach can help to resolve conflicting claims about how we should live:
• What Should Citizens Believe? exploring the issues of truth, reason & society
This is ideal for anyone looking for a general introduction to the challenge of resolving conflicting beliefs in society, and for all those involved in lifelong learning who would like to have a range of materials to facilitate discussions about truth and reason in a democracy. Available as an e-book or in paperback.
• Time to Save Democracy: how to govern ourselves in the age of anti-politics
This book presents a diagnosis of what prevents democracy from functioning, and goes beyond the familiar ‘get the vote out’ ideas, to set out 9 key areas where reforms are necessary to ensure we can govern ourselves more effectively. It puts forward forty recommendations to help us avoid the twin threats of oppressive rule and debilitating chaos.
• Communitarianism: a new agenda for politics & citizenship
This standard text on progressive communitarian ideas has been praised on both sides of the Atlantic, and nominated by New York University Press for the 2000 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order.
(For more information on Communitarianism and its companion volume, Progressive Politics in the Global Age, go to Info on Communitarianism)
• Against Power Inequalities
A short global history on the progressive struggle against exploitation and oppression. “An intellectual tour de force” (Professor Charles Derber, US); “history retold as a panorama of struggle, hope and co-operation [by] a master storyteller” (Ed Mayo, Secretary General, Co-operatives UK).
(For more information, go to Against Power Inequalities)
• Responsibility & Personal Interactions
An in-depth study on when people should be held responsible for their behaviour, with the proposed criteria tested against legal judgment in seminal cases. It provides a basis for exposing flawed attempts to deny responsibility.
(For more information on this book and its companion volume, Punishment, Excuses & Moral Development, go to Info on Responsibility)
[2] Policy Guidance
The materials outlined below draw on reviews of effective practices in a wide range of institutions and personal experiences in shaping public policies, to provide guidance on how to develop cooperative communities and advance the public interest:
• Together We Can: the practice of community empowerment
‘Together We Can’ was a national cross-government programme for civil renewal and community empowerment (2003-2010) – it was showcased as an exemplar at the 2008 international meeting of the Global Network of Government Innovators (USA). Practical ideas and policy recommendations can be found amongst the resources listed here.
• Political Literacy and Civic Thoughtfulness
A guide to the problem of political illiteracy, and how it can be tackled through the cultivation of civic thoughtfulness, using the 'Synetopia' framework. This provides a basis for assessing the level of political aptitude and identifying key actions to be taken to attain improvements.
• Cooperative Gestalt: the practice of cooperative problem-solving
The discussions with academics and practitioners via the Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy (University of Cambridge) facilitated the codification of how best to engender cooperative problem-solving. For articles and other materials on how organisations can secure more effective collaborative working to achieve their goals, see: here.
• Serving the Public: the practice of democratic engagement
Guidance based on research and policy work that helped one local authority gain recognition as the best in England (Braintree, 1993), another one winning the award for youth participation from the Prime Minister (St Edmundsbury, 1999), and which led to the establishment of a national network of Civic Pioneer authorities: here.
[3] The Anti-Con Novels
These novels depict disturbing social and political trends, highlight the power of rhetoric and misdirection, and explore what kinds of resistance and reform are urgently needed (see The Anti-Con Novels for an overview):
• Kuan’s Wonderland
An allegorical novel about the mysterious realm of Shiyan, where a young boy is brought before the institution known as Plutopia. “Original and very engaging” (Fantasy Book Review); “an unmissable page-turner” (President, the Independent Publishers Guild). Recommended by the Equality Trust.
(For more information, go to Kuan’s Wonderland: a quick guide)
• Whitehall through the Looking Glass
A satirical tale about how a group of powerful corporations known as the Consortium came to take over the government of Britain and America. “[A] timely reminder of the dangers of the rapidly-accelerating corporatisation of our political and economic life.” (F. O'Grady, General Secretary, TUC); “We need Tam's absurdist vision of Whitehall to help wake us all up” (S. Duffy, Director, Centre for Welfare Reform).
(For more information, go to Whitehall through the Looking Glass: a quick guide)
• The Hunting of the Gods
A saga set on a much transformed Earth where immortal rulers dictate terms to subjects who are brought up to fight against their foreign enemies until a resurrected stranger reveals to them the origins of the self-proclaimed gods. Questions are raised about microbotic technology, personal identity, and the widening gap between those who have a rich and prolonged life and those have nothing but insecurity.
TALKS, ADVICE & TRAINING
Henry Tam has been invited to share his ideas on politics and society at events convened by many diverse organisations such as WEA (Workers’ Educational Association); Church Action on Poverty; South Place Ethical Society; the BBC; National School of Government; Metropolitan Police Authority; Urban Forum; Civil Service College, and Community Service Volunteers.
He has also been a guest speaker at the World Forum for Democracy (the Council of Europe); the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation (Harvard, USA); the Institute of Sociology (Warsaw, Poland); the Society for Applied Philosophy; the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics; the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies (Washington, USA); the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation (Ireland); the London Business School; the Oxford Centre for Advanced Study of the Social Sciences; and other research institutions.
(For a list of the talks given, go to ‘The QTP Talks Series’)
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
• Associate Fellow, the Crick Centre, University of Sheffield (2017-).
• Affiliated Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge (2011-2015).
• Visiting Professor, School of Lifelong Learning, Birkbeck, University of London (2008-2011).
• Fellow, Globus Institute for Globalization and Sustainable Development, University of Tilburg, the Netherlands (2000-2008).
• 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).
The Question the Powerful project disseminates ideas and findings based on the work he has carried out in a variety of educational and policy roles: Director, Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy (University of Cambridge); Head of Civil Renewal (Home Office, UK Government); Visiting Professor, Lifelong Learning (Birkbeck, University of London); Director, Community Safety & Regeneration (Government Office, East of England); Chair, Communitarian Forum (St Edmunds College, University of Cambridge).
Catch up with his political reflections on the Question the Powerful blog; and follow his tweets on current events via @HenryBTam. More information about the available learning resources are set out below:
KEY PUBLICATIONS
[1] Political Ideas
Works that examine the key ideas relating to governance, responsibility, community, democracy, and citizenship; and explain how a civic-communitarian approach can help to resolve conflicting claims about how we should live:
• What Should Citizens Believe? exploring the issues of truth, reason & society
This is ideal for anyone looking for a general introduction to the challenge of resolving conflicting beliefs in society, and for all those involved in lifelong learning who would like to have a range of materials to facilitate discussions about truth and reason in a democracy. Available as an e-book or in paperback.
• Time to Save Democracy: how to govern ourselves in the age of anti-politics
This book presents a diagnosis of what prevents democracy from functioning, and goes beyond the familiar ‘get the vote out’ ideas, to set out 9 key areas where reforms are necessary to ensure we can govern ourselves more effectively. It puts forward forty recommendations to help us avoid the twin threats of oppressive rule and debilitating chaos.
• Communitarianism: a new agenda for politics & citizenship
This standard text on progressive communitarian ideas has been praised on both sides of the Atlantic, and nominated by New York University Press for the 2000 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order.
(For more information on Communitarianism and its companion volume, Progressive Politics in the Global Age, go to Info on Communitarianism)
• Against Power Inequalities
A short global history on the progressive struggle against exploitation and oppression. “An intellectual tour de force” (Professor Charles Derber, US); “history retold as a panorama of struggle, hope and co-operation [by] a master storyteller” (Ed Mayo, Secretary General, Co-operatives UK).
(For more information, go to Against Power Inequalities)
• Responsibility & Personal Interactions
An in-depth study on when people should be held responsible for their behaviour, with the proposed criteria tested against legal judgment in seminal cases. It provides a basis for exposing flawed attempts to deny responsibility.
(For more information on this book and its companion volume, Punishment, Excuses & Moral Development, go to Info on Responsibility)
[2] Policy Guidance
The materials outlined below draw on reviews of effective practices in a wide range of institutions and personal experiences in shaping public policies, to provide guidance on how to develop cooperative communities and advance the public interest:
• Together We Can: the practice of community empowerment
‘Together We Can’ was a national cross-government programme for civil renewal and community empowerment (2003-2010) – it was showcased as an exemplar at the 2008 international meeting of the Global Network of Government Innovators (USA). Practical ideas and policy recommendations can be found amongst the resources listed here.
• Political Literacy and Civic Thoughtfulness
A guide to the problem of political illiteracy, and how it can be tackled through the cultivation of civic thoughtfulness, using the 'Synetopia' framework. This provides a basis for assessing the level of political aptitude and identifying key actions to be taken to attain improvements.
• Cooperative Gestalt: the practice of cooperative problem-solving
The discussions with academics and practitioners via the Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy (University of Cambridge) facilitated the codification of how best to engender cooperative problem-solving. For articles and other materials on how organisations can secure more effective collaborative working to achieve their goals, see: here.
• Serving the Public: the practice of democratic engagement
Guidance based on research and policy work that helped one local authority gain recognition as the best in England (Braintree, 1993), another one winning the award for youth participation from the Prime Minister (St Edmundsbury, 1999), and which led to the establishment of a national network of Civic Pioneer authorities: here.
[3] The Anti-Con Novels
These novels depict disturbing social and political trends, highlight the power of rhetoric and misdirection, and explore what kinds of resistance and reform are urgently needed (see The Anti-Con Novels for an overview):
• Kuan’s Wonderland
An allegorical novel about the mysterious realm of Shiyan, where a young boy is brought before the institution known as Plutopia. “Original and very engaging” (Fantasy Book Review); “an unmissable page-turner” (President, the Independent Publishers Guild). Recommended by the Equality Trust.
(For more information, go to Kuan’s Wonderland: a quick guide)
• Whitehall through the Looking Glass
A satirical tale about how a group of powerful corporations known as the Consortium came to take over the government of Britain and America. “[A] timely reminder of the dangers of the rapidly-accelerating corporatisation of our political and economic life.” (F. O'Grady, General Secretary, TUC); “We need Tam's absurdist vision of Whitehall to help wake us all up” (S. Duffy, Director, Centre for Welfare Reform).
(For more information, go to Whitehall through the Looking Glass: a quick guide)
• The Hunting of the Gods
A saga set on a much transformed Earth where immortal rulers dictate terms to subjects who are brought up to fight against their foreign enemies until a resurrected stranger reveals to them the origins of the self-proclaimed gods. Questions are raised about microbotic technology, personal identity, and the widening gap between those who have a rich and prolonged life and those have nothing but insecurity.
TALKS, ADVICE & TRAINING
Henry Tam has been invited to share his ideas on politics and society at events convened by many diverse organisations such as WEA (Workers’ Educational Association); Church Action on Poverty; South Place Ethical Society; the BBC; National School of Government; Metropolitan Police Authority; Urban Forum; Civil Service College, and Community Service Volunteers.
He has also been a guest speaker at the World Forum for Democracy (the Council of Europe); the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation (Harvard, USA); the Institute of Sociology (Warsaw, Poland); the Society for Applied Philosophy; the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics; the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies (Washington, USA); the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation (Ireland); the London Business School; the Oxford Centre for Advanced Study of the Social Sciences; and other research institutions.
(For a list of the talks given, go to ‘The QTP Talks Series’)
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
• Associate Fellow, the Crick Centre, University of Sheffield (2017-).
• Affiliated Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge (2011-2015).
• Visiting Professor, School of Lifelong Learning, Birkbeck, University of London (2008-2011).
• Fellow, Globus Institute for Globalization and Sustainable Development, University of Tilburg, the Netherlands (2000-2008).
• 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).
Monday, May 14, 2018
Citizens' Right to Learn
2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which set out the support and protection citizens across the world are entitled to expect from those they have entrusted with the power and resources to run their country.
One of the key challenges arising from disputes over alleged violations of human rights and what actions should be taken, is how people can resolve such disputes when ignorance, deception, and misinterpretation so often get in the way. If people fail to see wrongdoing for what it is, or are duped into regarding vital interventions as unwarranted interference, the defence of human rights will face an uphill struggle.
It should be remembered that Article 26 of the Declaration states not only that “everyone has the right to education”, but that “education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
In practice, it is rare for education at any level to pay much attention to raising people’s awareness and understanding of the problem of belief evaluation. Naïve embrace of ‘freedom of expression’ as a licence to lie, incite or misdirect has enabled the enemies of human rights to subvert democracy and con millions into blaming scapegoats. What is urgently needed is a sustained campaign to boost critical learning about how to differentiate reliable claims from dubious assertions.
The ‘Question the Powerful’ project, in association with the global Citizen Network, has brought out a new book, What Should Citizens Believe? It provides accessible resources for anyone interested in teaching, promoting, or facilitating discussions about ideas and practices that support reasoned assessment of what citizens ought to believe.
--
What Should Citizens Believe? exploring the issues of truth, reason & society is available in the following formats:
E-book (£2.99): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CSYRF8H
Paperback (£5.99): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1548183105
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all royalties I receive from the sale of the book in 2018 will be donated to Amnesty International.
One of the key challenges arising from disputes over alleged violations of human rights and what actions should be taken, is how people can resolve such disputes when ignorance, deception, and misinterpretation so often get in the way. If people fail to see wrongdoing for what it is, or are duped into regarding vital interventions as unwarranted interference, the defence of human rights will face an uphill struggle.
It should be remembered that Article 26 of the Declaration states not only that “everyone has the right to education”, but that “education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
In practice, it is rare for education at any level to pay much attention to raising people’s awareness and understanding of the problem of belief evaluation. Naïve embrace of ‘freedom of expression’ as a licence to lie, incite or misdirect has enabled the enemies of human rights to subvert democracy and con millions into blaming scapegoats. What is urgently needed is a sustained campaign to boost critical learning about how to differentiate reliable claims from dubious assertions.
The ‘Question the Powerful’ project, in association with the global Citizen Network, has brought out a new book, What Should Citizens Believe? It provides accessible resources for anyone interested in teaching, promoting, or facilitating discussions about ideas and practices that support reasoned assessment of what citizens ought to believe.
--
What Should Citizens Believe? exploring the issues of truth, reason & society is available in the following formats:
E-book (£2.99): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CSYRF8H
Paperback (£5.99): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1548183105
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all royalties I receive from the sale of the book in 2018 will be donated to Amnesty International.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Endangered Democracy: the Civic-Communitarian Response
While there is widespread recognition on both sides of the Atlantic that democracy is not working as it should, no consensus has yet emerged regarding what is to be done about it. Some say major constitutional changes are necessary; some call for more efforts to get the vote out; and others lament the futility of trying to tackle money power, social media distortions, or – with routinely around a third of registered voters (in the US and the UK) not turning out to vote – incorrigible apathy.
If we look more closely, however, at what thinkers concerned with the underlying political health of communities have been saying, we may be able to work out what prescriptions are really required. Thinkers such as Bernard Crick, David Marquand, Jonathan Boswell, and Henry Tam in the UK, or Philip Selznick, Amitai Etzioni, Michael Sandel, and Charles Taylor in North America, have been variously described as ‘communitarian’, ‘civic republican’, or in some cases both. Despite their differences on some philosophical or sociological issues, when it comes to democratic governance, they all maintain that it has to be grounded on a community of cooperating citizens.
If people thought only about their own individual interests, and were disinclined or unable to take into account the concerns and reasons expressed by others, then a superficial electoral structure would not be capable of facilitating decisions that enhance the common good of the people, or improve their respective lives as interdependent citizens. On a personal basis, some would exploit the fear and gullibility of others to make unjust gains for themselves. On a collective basis, the nation would be more divided and insecure.
The civic-communitarian response, to coin a term, is to press for actions to be taken to rebuild the community basis of democratic relationships. These are connected with three inter-related elements. First and foremost, there is the need to develop a real sense of togetherness among the people. A laissez faire attitude to leaving individuals to do as they please is a recipe for social fragmentation. Diversity and solidarity can be complementary only if concerted efforts are made to facilitate people learning about the distinct contributions each other can bring. Togetherness, in turn, requires objectivity in discourse. If lies, prejudices, intimidation, and misdirection were allowed to distort facts and undermine any prospect of mutual understanding being attained, people would rarely, if ever, come to see what would serve their common good, or why they should back one set of public policies rather than another for the sake of their country. Finally, togetherness can only be preserved if none has attained sufficient power to act with little regard for the consequences that may have for others, and it is recognised that people are broadly interdependent in safeguarding their overall wellbeing.
Let us look at what actions should therefore be developed to rescue democracy from its perilous state.
Togetherness
Democracy would be reduced to a contest among hostile factions without a sufficiently robust sense of togetherness. To cultivate it, there should be widespread opportunities for citizens to formulate shared missions through collaborative projects; move away from echo chambers to meet and get to know others at open communal events; learn to co-design civic outcomes; and engage with politicians, experts and their fellow citizens in reviewing how public actions actually affect them.
Mutual respect should be promoted through techniques that enable people to understand how they might feel if they were subject to some objectionable policy or treatment being proposed for others in a similar situation. There must be more effective mechanisms to investigate and remove discriminatory rules or procedures (such as those affecting district boundaries or ID requirements) that make it more difficult for particular groups in the community to exercise their electoral power. Reconciliatory support should be readily available to bring people with conflicting views together to explore common ground and avoid escalation, except in cases where some are determined to inflict injury on others.
To ensure people appreciate what it is to be members of their shared polity, there should be thorough explanations of what that membership entails in practice beyond any abstract talk of rights and responsibilities. Citizens of a country should be involved in reviewing the membership terms and conditions so that issues such as why new members may be needed, or what current members should or should not be allowed to do with money they have made in the country (e.g., moving it to offshore accounts), can be transparently addressed.
Objectivity
Communities’ capacity for democratic decision-making is inescapably linked to the extent to which their members can learn, reflect on, and exchange ideas in an objective manner. Although in a democratic society, no religious faith or secular ideology can be allowed to impose its doctrines on everyone, pluralism is only feasible if civil dialogues can take place as a result of all people possessing a shared understanding of what coherent reasoning and evidential examination entail.
Publicly financed, but independently run institutions are necessary to review and codify truth claims, so that trusted judgements on what merit belief are derived from the latest expert assessment and informed consensus, rather than arbitrary declarations or well-funded misinformation campaigns. This applies to every level of societal interactions where an authoritative resolution of conflicting claims is sought, right up to the Supreme Court, which can hardly lay claim to impartiality when, in virtually all the cases (since 1986) where the most politically contentious issues were decided on a 5-4 majority, members of the court backed the position favoured by the party of the president who nominated them [Note 1]. Instead of relying on the backing of the majority party in Congress, the court’s membership should be dependent on the support of both Democrats and Republicans.
And contrary to the myth that the freedom of speech is absolutely sacrosanct, the US has from the beginning set and enforced legal limits on irresponsible communication that may incite lawless behaviour; is unacceptable in itself (e.g., exchange of paedophilic words/images); makes use of information that belongs to someone else; contains false or misleading details; or threatens national security. There is an urgent need to apply the principles of restriction already embedded in existing laws and practices to those who use a combination of the political powers they have gained, the money provided by businesses disdainful of the public interest, and the levers of manipulation over social media, to deceive the public and undermine the sharing of factual reports.
Power Balance
Honest dialogues are necessary but not sufficient to sustain democratic governance. Those with amassed power and wealth can always just ignore what citizens consider to be better options. Instead of handing all decisions to a few on the back of electoral contests that barely engage with the real issues, communities should have more quality-assured deliberative events that will empower them to select public policies and representatives. At the same time, in line with subsidiarity, more decisions ought to be delegated to those who are better placed at the local level to consider what should be done. Voting arrangements should also be improved so that people can rank their preferences rather than accept that in safe, first-past-the-post seats (the predicament facing most voters) their vote is highly unlikely to make any difference whatsoever.
As the widening of wealth inequalities exacerbate the power gap between the corporate elite and the majority gripped by economic insecurity, a fairer distribution of resources should be advanced through more extensive adoption of worker cooperative practices and strengthening of public provisions to counter-balance private iniquities. Limits for financial support for political candidates must be brought down to a much lower level; and anyone who thinks that it is a side issue should be reminded that, for example, between 2004 and 2012, in each of the five bi-annual contests in the House of Representatives, over 80% of the candidates who spent more than their rivals won, while spending on federal campaigns in 2012 alone was over $6.2 billion, with 68% of that money coming from just 0.26% of the population [Note 2].
Libertarians have tried to argue that the retreat of state institutions would leave individuals with greater freedom, when in fact it would enable the most powerful corporations and the people with vast wealth or weapons to pressurise others into submitting to their demands. What is needed to strengthen democratic freedom is a two-fold enhancement of public accountability – with robust public bodies to hold individuals and corporations to account, and a network of state agencies that can investigate and take action against those holding political office, not excepting the president.
Conclusion
Communitarian and civic republican thinkers may not agree among themselves or with each other on every issue. But they do have in common an important set of ideas on how fair and vibrant communities can function democratically. These ideas are not about refining democratic procedures on the margins, but go to the heart of how any system that aims to share governing power equitably among the governed has to be sustained culturally and structurally. The actions outlined above are essential to revive democratic rule. Delays in their implementation will jeopardise any chance of democracy surviving the twin onslaught of plutocratic divisiveness and resurgent extremism.
-
Note 1: Rodriguez, L. (2016) ‘The Troubling Partisanship of the Supreme Court’, Stanford Political Journal: https://stanfordpolitics.com/the-troubling-partisanship-of-the-supreme-court-da9fd5a900ac
Note 2: Prokop, A. (2014) ’40 charts that explain money in politics’, Vox: http://www.vox.com/2014/7/30/5949581/money-in-politics-charts-explain (Chart 11) and (Chart 2).
Henry Tam’s new book, Time to Save Democracy: how to govern ourselves in the age of anti-politics is available from Policy Press: https://policypress.co.uk/time-to-save-democracy
[A version of this essay appeared previously in the newsletter of the Institute of Communitarian Policy Studies, Washington, USA, 2018]
If we look more closely, however, at what thinkers concerned with the underlying political health of communities have been saying, we may be able to work out what prescriptions are really required. Thinkers such as Bernard Crick, David Marquand, Jonathan Boswell, and Henry Tam in the UK, or Philip Selznick, Amitai Etzioni, Michael Sandel, and Charles Taylor in North America, have been variously described as ‘communitarian’, ‘civic republican’, or in some cases both. Despite their differences on some philosophical or sociological issues, when it comes to democratic governance, they all maintain that it has to be grounded on a community of cooperating citizens.
If people thought only about their own individual interests, and were disinclined or unable to take into account the concerns and reasons expressed by others, then a superficial electoral structure would not be capable of facilitating decisions that enhance the common good of the people, or improve their respective lives as interdependent citizens. On a personal basis, some would exploit the fear and gullibility of others to make unjust gains for themselves. On a collective basis, the nation would be more divided and insecure.
The civic-communitarian response, to coin a term, is to press for actions to be taken to rebuild the community basis of democratic relationships. These are connected with three inter-related elements. First and foremost, there is the need to develop a real sense of togetherness among the people. A laissez faire attitude to leaving individuals to do as they please is a recipe for social fragmentation. Diversity and solidarity can be complementary only if concerted efforts are made to facilitate people learning about the distinct contributions each other can bring. Togetherness, in turn, requires objectivity in discourse. If lies, prejudices, intimidation, and misdirection were allowed to distort facts and undermine any prospect of mutual understanding being attained, people would rarely, if ever, come to see what would serve their common good, or why they should back one set of public policies rather than another for the sake of their country. Finally, togetherness can only be preserved if none has attained sufficient power to act with little regard for the consequences that may have for others, and it is recognised that people are broadly interdependent in safeguarding their overall wellbeing.
Let us look at what actions should therefore be developed to rescue democracy from its perilous state.
Togetherness
Democracy would be reduced to a contest among hostile factions without a sufficiently robust sense of togetherness. To cultivate it, there should be widespread opportunities for citizens to formulate shared missions through collaborative projects; move away from echo chambers to meet and get to know others at open communal events; learn to co-design civic outcomes; and engage with politicians, experts and their fellow citizens in reviewing how public actions actually affect them.
Mutual respect should be promoted through techniques that enable people to understand how they might feel if they were subject to some objectionable policy or treatment being proposed for others in a similar situation. There must be more effective mechanisms to investigate and remove discriminatory rules or procedures (such as those affecting district boundaries or ID requirements) that make it more difficult for particular groups in the community to exercise their electoral power. Reconciliatory support should be readily available to bring people with conflicting views together to explore common ground and avoid escalation, except in cases where some are determined to inflict injury on others.
To ensure people appreciate what it is to be members of their shared polity, there should be thorough explanations of what that membership entails in practice beyond any abstract talk of rights and responsibilities. Citizens of a country should be involved in reviewing the membership terms and conditions so that issues such as why new members may be needed, or what current members should or should not be allowed to do with money they have made in the country (e.g., moving it to offshore accounts), can be transparently addressed.
Objectivity
Communities’ capacity for democratic decision-making is inescapably linked to the extent to which their members can learn, reflect on, and exchange ideas in an objective manner. Although in a democratic society, no religious faith or secular ideology can be allowed to impose its doctrines on everyone, pluralism is only feasible if civil dialogues can take place as a result of all people possessing a shared understanding of what coherent reasoning and evidential examination entail.
Publicly financed, but independently run institutions are necessary to review and codify truth claims, so that trusted judgements on what merit belief are derived from the latest expert assessment and informed consensus, rather than arbitrary declarations or well-funded misinformation campaigns. This applies to every level of societal interactions where an authoritative resolution of conflicting claims is sought, right up to the Supreme Court, which can hardly lay claim to impartiality when, in virtually all the cases (since 1986) where the most politically contentious issues were decided on a 5-4 majority, members of the court backed the position favoured by the party of the president who nominated them [Note 1]. Instead of relying on the backing of the majority party in Congress, the court’s membership should be dependent on the support of both Democrats and Republicans.
And contrary to the myth that the freedom of speech is absolutely sacrosanct, the US has from the beginning set and enforced legal limits on irresponsible communication that may incite lawless behaviour; is unacceptable in itself (e.g., exchange of paedophilic words/images); makes use of information that belongs to someone else; contains false or misleading details; or threatens national security. There is an urgent need to apply the principles of restriction already embedded in existing laws and practices to those who use a combination of the political powers they have gained, the money provided by businesses disdainful of the public interest, and the levers of manipulation over social media, to deceive the public and undermine the sharing of factual reports.
Power Balance
Honest dialogues are necessary but not sufficient to sustain democratic governance. Those with amassed power and wealth can always just ignore what citizens consider to be better options. Instead of handing all decisions to a few on the back of electoral contests that barely engage with the real issues, communities should have more quality-assured deliberative events that will empower them to select public policies and representatives. At the same time, in line with subsidiarity, more decisions ought to be delegated to those who are better placed at the local level to consider what should be done. Voting arrangements should also be improved so that people can rank their preferences rather than accept that in safe, first-past-the-post seats (the predicament facing most voters) their vote is highly unlikely to make any difference whatsoever.
As the widening of wealth inequalities exacerbate the power gap between the corporate elite and the majority gripped by economic insecurity, a fairer distribution of resources should be advanced through more extensive adoption of worker cooperative practices and strengthening of public provisions to counter-balance private iniquities. Limits for financial support for political candidates must be brought down to a much lower level; and anyone who thinks that it is a side issue should be reminded that, for example, between 2004 and 2012, in each of the five bi-annual contests in the House of Representatives, over 80% of the candidates who spent more than their rivals won, while spending on federal campaigns in 2012 alone was over $6.2 billion, with 68% of that money coming from just 0.26% of the population [Note 2].
Libertarians have tried to argue that the retreat of state institutions would leave individuals with greater freedom, when in fact it would enable the most powerful corporations and the people with vast wealth or weapons to pressurise others into submitting to their demands. What is needed to strengthen democratic freedom is a two-fold enhancement of public accountability – with robust public bodies to hold individuals and corporations to account, and a network of state agencies that can investigate and take action against those holding political office, not excepting the president.
Conclusion
Communitarian and civic republican thinkers may not agree among themselves or with each other on every issue. But they do have in common an important set of ideas on how fair and vibrant communities can function democratically. These ideas are not about refining democratic procedures on the margins, but go to the heart of how any system that aims to share governing power equitably among the governed has to be sustained culturally and structurally. The actions outlined above are essential to revive democratic rule. Delays in their implementation will jeopardise any chance of democracy surviving the twin onslaught of plutocratic divisiveness and resurgent extremism.
-
Note 1: Rodriguez, L. (2016) ‘The Troubling Partisanship of the Supreme Court’, Stanford Political Journal: https://stanfordpolitics.com/the-troubling-partisanship-of-the-supreme-court-da9fd5a900ac
Note 2: Prokop, A. (2014) ’40 charts that explain money in politics’, Vox: http://www.vox.com/2014/7/30/5949581/money-in-politics-charts-explain (Chart 11) and (Chart 2).
Henry Tam’s new book, Time to Save Democracy: how to govern ourselves in the age of anti-politics is available from Policy Press: https://policypress.co.uk/time-to-save-democracy
[A version of this essay appeared previously in the newsletter of the Institute of Communitarian Policy Studies, Washington, USA, 2018]
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