Retrieving the Big Society presents a collection of essays that challenge the view of Britain’s Big Society as a political gimmick and recognise it as an alternative to the central state in social and economic governance.

Offers an original and critical take on the idea of the Big Society
Attempts to make sense of the Big Society by placing in the context of the history of localism, mutualism, and voluntarism
Features contributions by experts on British politics and political theory