PHO705 FMP Brief look at politics and community.

I touched briefly in an earlier post about community pre Thatcher,you’ll remember her speech interview in Women’s own 1987 she said there was no such thing as society and whilst this single sentence may have been taken out of context over the years the sentiment was that we as individuals should look after ourselves first.A sentiment that I believe was taken more literally than even she thought possible.However in recent years despite subsequent physical and philosophical breakdowns of community through the loss of industry and new ideologies spawned from the Thatcher years community in one form or another survive.Yes there is a more transient workforce,I myself moved from my family,friends and community to chase my career at the time only really available in the big cites.Not because Norman Tebbit told me to “get on my bike and find work” ,mine was conscious choice,not one made out of necessity like many thousands of others. However just like them this mass movement of people was a huge contributary factor in breaking down communities.Many would say on purpose for political gain,for if there is less community spirit or feeling of togetherness there is only division,a divided nation is good for politics,easier to manipulate with less mass opposition to unpopular agenda. I digress…

In recent years and particulary in times of crisis pockets of community often put aside their differences for the greater good. We have seen this in what is probably the most divided period of history in the UK,despite the polarity in rich and poor,right and left during the covid crisis of 2020/21 there has been much cooperation.

We see it with foodbanks and charity fundraisers it gives us a sense of belonging,something that it seems no matter what the polititions say we all need and crave.

Collaboration is something I’ve seen become more important in my chosen industry much the same as I am sure it has in many others,if only to give the impression in some cases.Society does exsist and it seems it sells. Where in the go getting end of the 20th century beginning of the 21st it was fine to be a go getter,at all cost winner,an individual who would let nothing stand in the way of success now it seems perhaps that isn’t such a good way to live after all.For society we do not all benefit from these go getters,trickle down politics/economies are a lie and co-operation,collaboration works well,give a person as say in how their lives are run,give them a slice of the pie,be it monetary or recognition and we work better as a whole.Strangely I write this in the most divisive time in human history where the richest are wealthier than at any time ever and that wealth is in the smallest amount of hands,many countries all over the world are becoming more insular and inward looking yet within them community is on the rise,is this a reaction ? I think it is. Is it a good thing,well maybe but then again maybe not,what if those smaller communities begin to become insular and inward looking. I keep digressing..