An IEA Panel Discussion & Launch of



The Big Society: The Anatomy of the New Politics

by Jesse Norman MP







“You can call it liberalism. You can call it empowerment. You can call it freedom.

You can call it responsibility. I call it the Big Society”

David Cameron, Prime Minister







The idea of a ‘Big Society’ is already shaping the agenda of the Coalition Government. But what is the Big Society? Is it a genuine vision for the future, or simply a smokescreen for stringent cuts in public spending?



Jesse Norman’s latest book cuts through these debates, to offer the first full explanation of this important idea and its implications. Ranging widely over economics, philosophy, history, business, civil liberties, education and culture, it shows how the Big Society is rooted in neglected British intellectual and social traditions — but also embodies some of the most cutting-edge new policy ideas.



Jesse Norman is the new MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Employee Ownership and a member of the influential Treasury Select Committee. He is a former Executive Director of the think tank Policy Exchange, and Honorary Fellow at University College London.



At this special event to launch Jesse Norman's latest book our Panellists will debate what the big society should mean in theory and practice. Each Panellist will speak for about five minutes, followed by Q&A.





featuring:

Prof Philip Booth, Editorial & Programme Director, IEA

Dr Steven Davies, Education Director, IEA

Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham

and

Jesse Norman, MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire



Chairman:

Mark Littlewood, Director General & Ralph Harris Fellow, IEA





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