Why are western societies - and particularly Britain - becoming more deeply divided, more violent, more squalid? What traditions can we draw upon to respond to this crisis? Since present politics led by central governments offer scant hope of radical reform, what can be done by those determined to work at a local scale to resist and reverse these trends? Donnison draws on the experience of innovative civic leaders, community activists, local policy-makers and researchers to answer these pressing questions.

List of Figures and Tables
Preface
Introduction
PART 1: A DISINTEGRATING SOCIETY
Hardship: Facts and Meanings
Does Poverty Matter?
Can Anything be Done?
Traditions of Resistance
PART 2: ACT LOCAL
Citizens and Civic Leaders
Skills, Work and Money Safety
Mainstream Services
Egalitarians and Greens
For Baffled Citizens
PART 3: TOWARDS CONCLUSIONS
By What Authority?
Conclusions
Bibliography
Index.