Under embargo until: 00.01hrs Tuesday 18 November 2008
Why individualism has created "social recession"
The free market and individualism have a lot to answer for in creating a "social recession", argue two leading thinkers, Neal Lawson and Stephen Thake, who have been commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to examine issues of social evil in the 21st century.
Lawson, Chair of Compass and a Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute, says: "All the problems we face demand that everyone work together to achieve shared goals. The credit crunch, the problems with financial services regulation, the shortage of affordable transport, the closure of post offices, the need to regulate labour markets and of course climate change, all demand greater collective co-operation.
"None of them are issues we can solve alone as individual consumers. In no instance is anyone saying the answer lies in more freedom for the market. The market is the problem, not the solution."
A debate in London this week (18 November) will see Lawson share his views alongside Stephen Thake, Reader in Urban Policy at London Metropolitan University. Thake argues: "Many people may think it odd that individualism can be considered a social evil. But it is when it morphs into narcissistic self-absorption; when it is driven by greed rather than need. It is a question of balance and we have got the balance wrong.
"Selfishness is a consequence of greater individualism and greed is a driver of consumerism. Without understanding the drivers it is not possible to find a point of entry and social evils will remain unsolved." JRF Director Julia Unwin said: "From the public consultation we did last year, there was a strong sense that the decline of community has corresponded with a rise in individualism. Participants suggested that people increasingly look after their own individual or family interests without considering the needs of society or the community.
"This individualism was seen to have damaging consequences, fuelling selfishness and greed and leading to isolation and fear as people struggle to cope and live fulfilling lives."
The social evils debate is being held at the RSA in John Adam Street and will be broadcast online. Members of the audience can record their opinions in a video booth, as well as putting questions from the floor. There will also be a downloadable podcast available from www.socialevils.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
- The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of the largest social policy research and development charities in the UK. Its purpose is to search, demonstrate and influence to provide evidence, solutions and ideas to overcome the causes of poverty, disadvantage and social evil.
- The Viewpoints: A wrong turn in the search for freedom? by Neal Lawson, and Individualism and consumerism: reframing the debate by Stephen Thake, are available to download for free.
- The debate on Tuesday 18 November at 6pm takes place at the RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ. Tickets are free but need to be booked in advance from Anne Richardson at anne.richardson@jrf.org.uk.
Issued by Nasreen Memon, JRF Head of Media (nasreen.memon@jrf.org.uk)
01904 615 958 / 0207 278 9665
