Advantages and Disadvantages of 'The Big Society'

Three Main Advantages of a Big Society?

1. The general public feels that a number of state run services are ineffective, and poorly organized. Transferring these services to local groups and charities, may possibly make them more democratic.

2. Technically people can form a community, and volunteer to run these services which may well range from taking over a rural bus service to running a school. - Generating independence within a community- instead of dependency on the state.

3. Charities are also "tax free," which means all financial support is expelled from state taxation, and any earnings can in theory be funneled back into improving the service, based on the requirements of the community.

Three main disadvantages of a Big Society?

1. One main inconvenience is that financial support may depend on how well-off the community is who take over the present bus route or library, and how enthusiastic people are to volunteer to help run these services.

2. The UK has had no recent history of mass volunteerism, and numerous communities are in fact a mixture of new arrivals, migrant workers and short-term residents. Accustomed to a welfare state, and needing to produce money in one of the World's most costly countries- many people may not have the time to volunteer.

3. Free market economies put importance on on self dependence, rather than community dependence. A paradox where volunteerism is considered necessary to keep some services running, but at the same time these they could prolong in rivalry with private business- who profit from running a associated service.