There's a great hoo ha over David Cameron's 'Big Society' theory. I call it a theory because nothing has yet materialised. Even Cameron's speeches on the subject have been fundamentally vague, suggesting even the PM isn't too sure what he wants.
Essentially people should stop relying on the government to resolve their issues and should solve problems themselves. In the Sunday Times, Jeremy Clarkson presents a brilliant example from his own village where the people gathered together in 1963 to save a public swimming pool from closure by organising a fundraising event, raising £12000 and saving the pool without the need to apply for a government grant or aid.
Clarkson then raises issue with the term 'Big' in 'Big Society'. His village grouped together to solve a problem and as a result the baker knows the florist who knows the children's choir an so on... He calls it a 'Small Society'. He also takes issue with the word 'community', slamming the government's assumption that the 'Muslim Community' is one single-minded entity.
Usually I would look for an alternative view to give this article some balance, but it's important Cameron gets this message. Terminology is important and a 'Small Society' doesn't mean the nation be stop being 'Great' Britain. The ideal living conditions for many Englishmen is the world JRR Tolkien created in the 'Lord of the Rings'; where all the Hobbits lived in their little community, completely at peace with the world. This romanticised world is seen in many novels by Jane Austin or Beatrix Potter.
Dear Mr Cameron, we want a small society.
