The rise and fall of the Big Society in the UK

Abstract

This article assesses the role of the Big Society within the complex pattern of UK service provision. It is argued that the relevance of the Big Society was transient and it has had little impact on practice. Reasons for this are located within the complexity of relationships between public, private and third sectors. Such complexity is a permanent feature of contemporary service provision in which the moment of the Big Society has now passed.

Keywords:

• Big Society
• complexity
• public service
• third sector

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Fenwick

John Fenwick is Emeritus Professor of Leadership and Public Management, Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, UK.

Jane Gibbon

Jane Gibbon is Senior Lecturer in Accounting, Newcastle University Business School, UK.