Social evils

Following a major consultation with leading thinkers, commentators, activists and members of the public, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has brought together the findings in a timely and challenging book. It demonstrates the public hunger for a new way of living and describes the general unease about how greed, consumerism and individualism have pervaded our way of life.

Contemporary Social Evils was published on 11 June 2009, by The Policy Press. It summarises the findings so far, including new research with disadvantaged groups, and looks forward to a post-recession future. The book includes contributions from across the political spectrum, from AC Grayling and Ferdinand Mount to Julia Neuberger, Matthew Taylor and Anthony Browne.

To encourage further this debate on rethinking society’s values, the JRF is supporting DebateMate’s Urban Debate League. This will see the issues raised in the book debated by young people in deprived areas across England. For more information go to www.debatemate.com

"I am excited by the appetite to change society for the better, as described in this book. Although the idea of the common good seems to have been lost, there is a real will to reclaim it and bring back the forgotten values of generosity, empathy and kindness. People want a new society post-recession, so let’s harness this energy. I strongly urge voluntary and community groups to take up the challenge of rebuilding trust and rediscovering humanity in our models of governance. This is our 'Yes, we can!' moment. " (JRF Chief Executive, Julia Unwin)

"This is a brave exploration of some of the fundamental assumptions around values and attitudes that we hold, written at an important moment. I commend this timely, intelligent and challenging book". (Clare Tickell, Chief Executive, Action for Children)

"A splendid series of thought-provoking studies on the social evils of our time, blessedly free of nostalgia, an essential contribution to a much-needed national debate on the society we seek to make for the sake of those who will come after us." (Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks)

» Purchase the book from the Policy Press.

Background to the project

In the 2007 consultation, thousands of people told us what they thought were the social evils of the 21st century.

Themes included drugs and alcohol, crime and violence, and decline of the family. Underlying these, some other themes emerged – including a perception of a decline in values, fear of others, inequality and a lack of community – which we have asked key commentators to examine.

These issues were explored further by key social commentators in a series of debates in 2008, recordings of which are available to download. Their views have also been published in a series of Viewpoints (see 'Key Publications', right) which are available to download for free.

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