Big Society--Bigger Nature?
October 17, 2010 in LTI 
Preliminary announcement of a conference to be hosted by the Lincoln Theological Institute. Further details, including SPEAKERS and a CALL FOR PAPERS, will be posted shortly.
[O]ur aim with the Big Society is to build a culture where we don’t just look to government to solve all our big problems. Where people are empowered and feel encouraged to take control of their local communities and neighbourhoods. And where we foster a new culture of social responsibility – not by legislation but by example and collaboration.[1] Baroness Warsi
The “big society” opposes the “big state” and stresses voluntarism and localism. It is the big idea that supports self-help, mutuality and local accountability. It takes heart from the voluntary activities already being undertakes by a range of faith groups.
So far, the question of the relationship between the “Big Society” and a wider Nature has not been raised. This day conference addresses this lack though the consideration of critical questions such as:
- How does the Big Society acknowledge its dependence on a wider Nature?
- How does the Big Society encourage resistance to the anti-ecological practices of the modern state?
- Are we free, as humans, to volunteer Nature as a participant in the Big Society?
- What is the relationship between the Big Society, civil society and economic markets?
- Does Citizenship trump participation in the Big Society?
- Is the Big Society a Good Society?
[1]http://www.sayeedawarsi.com/2010/09/baroness-warsi-speaks-to-the-bishops-of-the-church-of-england/ [accessed 14 October 2010]