Communities must work together to tackle 'social evils' » Communities » 24dash.com

People need to work together rather than focus on individualism if society is to tackle recession and other social problems, two leading thinkers said today.

Neil Lawson and Stephen Thake have been commissioned by the social policy research and development charity Joseph Rowntree Foundation to examine issues of social evil in the 21st century.

Mr Lawson, the chairman of independent democratic left pressure group Compass and a Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute, will join Mr Thake, Reader in Urban Policy at London Metropolitan University, for a debate in London tonight.

Mr Lawson said: "All the problems we face demand that everyone work together to achieve shared goals.

"The credit crunch, the problems with financial services regulation, the shortage of affordable transport, the closure of post offices, the need to regulate labour markets and of course climate change, all demand greater collective co-operation.

"None of them are issues we can solve alone as individual consumers. In no instance is anyone saying the answer lies in more freedom for the market. The market is the problem, not the solution."

Mr Thake added: "Many people may think it odd that individualism can be considered a social evil. But it is when it morphs into narcissistic self-absorption; when it is driven by greed rather than need.

"It is a question of balance and we have got the balance wrong.

"Selfishness is a consequence of greater individualism and greed is a driver of consumerism.

"Without understanding the drivers it is not possible to find a point of entry and social evils will remain unsolved."

The social evils debate will take place at the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) in John Adam Street, central London.

Julie Unwin, director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: "From the public consultation we did last year, there was a strong sense that the decline of community has corresponded with a rise in individualism.

"Participants suggested that people increasingly look after their own individual or family interests without considering the needs of society or the community.

"This individualism was seen to have damaging consequences, fuelling selfishness and greed and leading to isolation and fear as people struggle to cope and live fulfilling lives."

There is a downloadable podcast of the speakers' opinions available at www.socialevils.org.uk