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Theme : democracy
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Collective action lives on
Crisis, what crisis? In a perfect storm of identity politics and collective action a new organisational emerges: the Pete Collective. Turns out that our own Peter Bradwell is a fully-fledged member, and i'm sure will share the concern of the authors on the site that Pete from Big Brother hasn't - as yet - been flying the flag in the house.
from : duncanoleary
19th May 2006
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On bread and butter
There are over 22,000 common sense ideas on the US 'Since Sliced Bread' website ranging from 'eradicate currency of all forms' to 'wean our nation from dependence on foreign oil'. The concept reminds me of Global Ideas Bank - it's easy to navigate, tag and rate the postings.But you get butter with your sliced bread - the chance to win a $100,000 grand prize if you submmit the best idea. But I'm too late - the contest is over.The winner is from Seattle, Washington, and his idea "Sustainable...
from : mollywebb
11th April 2006
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I See You
He told a story about his travels in Africa (undertaking his foundations AIDS work) where when people meet they greet each other with words that mean ?I see you?. He challenged us to acknowledge our interdependence by ensuring we recognised the many people who made the event work, the cleaners, the catering staff, the support staff, ?those people that make it possible for us to sit here today and those people that will clean up after we leave, make sure you see these people?.It seems to me...
from : grahamebroadbelt
29th March 2006
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The Fast Food Political Party
Social and political activism is alive and well, but has nothing to do with political parties or their machinery. The answer, for some, is for political parties to figure out how the single issue campaigns and hugely successful voluntary sector organisations are getting it so right, and then to copy that approach. This feels hugely satisfying as a tactic and leads to a long list on a flipchart of stuff that political parties could do. But it seems to me that political parties must be more...
from : grahamebroadbelt
22nd March 2006
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Topstuff
I see that Topshop is launching an ethical clothing range today (or an experiment with one at least). As Mckinsey pointed out recently, it turns out that surviving in a highly competitive market may be more complicated that we've often thought. The author of the article argues that Milton Friedman's philiosophy that "the business of business is business" is becoming increasingly outmoded, and that the legitimacy and longevity of businesses will depend on their contribution to wider social...
from : duncanoleary
1st March 2006
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Invisible politics
Perhaps James Tooley, who thinks that education was fine before the state got involved with it. Or should we go for those who argue against what they see as ?the commodification of education? through the involvement of the private sector. Maybe Chris Woodhead - who thinks that ?the traditional concept of education? has to be defended against ?pernicious? arguments for a skills based curriculum - could sit alongside Guy Claxton, who has argued for an approach to education which ?builds the...
from : duncanoleary
16th February 2006
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It's good to talk
Talking to the public about science can be a controversial matter. Really controversial, sometimes. But it seems the Conserative Party has decided that it's not such a bad idea: launching the Tories' energy review Alan Duncan says:"The review will invite contributions from the public as well as scientific experts, consumer and environmental groups, business users and energy providers."Engaging the public in direct participation and public deliberation is something that Demos has long been...
from : duncanoleary
14th February 2006
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C'est le same damn thing?
The rest of the world may be going Cameron crazy, but Anthony Barnett remains to be convinced. Read his thoughtful reflections on Cameron's Demos speech here.
from : jameswilsdon
2nd February 2006
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Everyday Democracy in Hong Kong
The WTO talks in Hong Kong and their ?accompanying circus? have drawn to a close. This time round it was not only the riot police who were squeezing the ?lame? protesters, a super snap-happy media crowd practically ate them up, whilst local passers-by looked on in vague bemusement. I got the feeling that when ?violence? finally broke out this weekend between the protesters (who the media portrayed as South Korean, full stop) and the police, many media people breathed a sigh of relief. What...
from : JennyJenny
19th December 2005
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The Politics of Community
I've just had a read of David Miliband's speech this week on 'The Politics of Community', and it touches on a lot of the things we've been talking about at Demos over the last year or so. This passage...The key is for all citizens to feel they have the power to make a difference to their local institutions in a direct way should they choose to exercise it, as well as through the ballot box every 4 years...picks up the point made in Everyday Democracy about the need for renewal of our Democracy...
from : duncanoleary
27th October 2005
