{"id":223,"date":"2010-08-03T08:08:02","date_gmt":"2010-08-03T08:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leedscd.wordpress.com\/?p=223"},"modified":"2010-08-03T08:08:02","modified_gmt":"2010-08-03T08:08:02","slug":"putting-power-in-the-hands-of-individuals-and-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/realisedevelopment.net\/index.php\/2010\/08\/03\/putting-power-in-the-hands-of-individuals-and-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Putting Power in the Hands of Individuals and Communities…"},"content":{"rendered":"

We agreed that…our government\u2019s purpose is to make two major shifts in our political and national life:
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The first is a radical redistribution of power from government to communities and people, to reverse decades of over-centralisation. Almost all our plans involve giving individuals, families and communities more control over their lives \u2013 whether that\u2019s through opening new schools, giving locally elected councillors a say over local NHS services or holding local police to account.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Clegg and Cameron’s Letter <\/a>to MPs of the Coalition Government<\/em><\/p>\n

At first glance this is a gift for those of us who have advocated the potential of individuals and\u00a0communities\u00a0to shape their own destiny. \u00a0But I\u00a0think\u00a0it shows a lack of understanding about how such processes can work.<\/p>\n

Communities and individuals are being offered power to do the work that some aspect of the state had previously done. \u00a0They are being pointed at opportunities identified by the powerful where they maybe allowed to play a part. \u00a0 In the examples cited above to manage schools, health and policing. \u00a0Perhaps also to buy the local pub and turn it into a social enterprise or cooperative. \u00a0Or to take over an old school or library and turn it into a community asset.<\/p>\n

All very laudable at first glance.<\/p>\n

But there is no real shift \u00a0of power going on here. \u00a0Individuals and\u00a0communities\u00a0are being invited to play a larger part in delivering the strategies of the powerful. \u00a0There seems to be little or no sign of individuals and communities being allowed to set their own development agendas, to build their power to tackle the issues that really impact on their lives. \u00a0 There is little evidence of real self-determination<\/a> being encouraged, just more gentle manipulation to ‘good folk’ to do their bit in times of austerity.<\/p>\n

And much of\u00a0this\u00a0will play well to middle Britain and its obsessions with schooling, policing and the\u00a0delivery\u00a0of\u00a0healthcare.<\/p>\n

But how will it play out in some of our poorest communities? \u00a0What will the impact of this ‘radical redistribution of power’ be on them?<\/p>\n

My best guess is that for many the impact will be detrimental, unless we find a way to really engage them as\u00a0individuals\u00a0and\u00a0communities\u00a0in working on their <\/span><\/strong>agenda rather than on the agenda of the state. \u00a0Doing things that will make a\u00a0real\u00a0difference in their lives and the lives of their loved ones.<\/p>\n

When we tell people how we wish them to participate in transforming their own worlds we can be sure that either:<\/p>\n