Atkinson, H: Local Democracy, Civic Engagement and Community

There is a widespread view that local democracy in Britain is in deep trouble and that we face a crisis of civic engagement and political participation. This book argues, however, that a deeper analysis of the evidence points to a much more nuanced and complex political terrain with a wide variety of informal and formal activity at the local level.

Focusing on local democratic politics in Britain, this book look at the issue over the last decade and a half from the election of the New Labour government right up to the current Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government. It includes an analysis of local democracy, civic engagement and participation across a range of policy areas and in the context of debates around accountability, legitimacy, sustainability, localism and the big society.

The last fifteen years have seen a variety of initiatives which have sought to reshape local democracy. But they have often been contradictory. Under New Labour the narrative was one of reinvigorating local government and empowering local communities but in practice government policy often veered towards more central control. Under the Coalition government the emphasis has been on localism and the big society yet the reluctance to cede power is still evident. And yet as the book argues local democracy remains vibrant terrain of innovation, civic engagement and participation and dynamic community activity.

This book will be essential reading for lecturers and students of local democracy and public policy as well practitioners.