What is the Big Society? Some argue that it is a genuine vision for the future, others that it is simply a smokescreen for stringent and inevitable cuts in public-spending. As a concept it has been considered as too vague and unintelligible to attract sufficient numbers of voters, yet is already presenting a powerful case that devolved government will cost less and do more. The Big Society is a bold and radical attempt to strengthen communities and civil society in order to deliver public services more efficiently, and a fundamental tenet of Big Society theory is the decentralization of power away from Whitehall. The prize should be increased accountability and efficiency and a dramatic reduction in bureaucracy and cost to the economy. This hugely important book provides a most timely and important answer to a question perhaps best described as rhetorical: it is essential reading for politicians, economists, social commentators - and the voting public.REVIEWS A landmark title that captured excellent national review coverage . . . a serious attempt to replace two misguided philosophies, one on the left and one on the right. Norman attacks Labour's state centralism. More interestingly, he also questions the liberal market economics which not long ago seemed a prerequisite of Tory thinking. Julian Glover, Guardian"British Member of Parliament Jesse Norman (Conservative Party) promotes Prime Minister David Cameron's conservative idea of the "Big Society," with a particular focus on its economic elements. His analysis seeks to identify the sources of political, economic, and social weakness in Britain, critique the basic assumptions that underlie current economic and political thinking, and promote the ideas of "compassionate conservatism" and the "Big Society" for economics and the rule of law."Protoview (previously known as Book News)"