Abstract
Purpose – To examine theoretical basis of the claim that social cohesion is served better by processes within civil society than by government policies. To provide an empirical test using recent UK data. This paper combines literatures from sociology, political science and social psychology in an innovative way.Design/methodology/approach – Analysis and of a range of relevant literatures. Statistical analysis of the DCLG Citizenship Survey to examine aspects of cohesion.Findings – The civil society argument has both strengths and weaknesses. Group processes and group interests in civil society may lead towards exclusion rather than inclusion. In the UK context, the civil society route to social cohesion is uncertain: the groupings that develop do not necessary promote commitments broadly across society and particularly between advantaged and disadvantaged citizensResearch limitations/implications – This article shows the value of social psychological as well as sociological and political science material. It identifies severe limitations as well as strengths in the kind of civil society approaches that have been promoted in recent discussion of the ‘Big Society’.Practical implications – The civil society route to social cohesion is no substitute for the welfare state.Originality/value – – Combination of theoretical literatures from different disciplines, includign social psychology.
– Empirical test of the civil society society thesis using up to date material.