This is worth reading #2

Here's another attempt by me to round up interesting things I come across when spending my leisure time on twitter. I don't do this in work time. Honest. And you know, it has just occurred to me that some people might read the blog title and think I am referring to my own blog, when I mean the articles I've been reading. So sorry if you are here under false pretences.

1. The Big Society is not underpinned by a Big Plan. Now the cynical amongst you will probably at this point shout out loud that you knew already that they were making it up as they went along. But this really good blog on the Big Society by uber-networker David Wilcox does two things that I like: it highlights the rationale behind what seems like a fuzzy, messy policy area, and it draws together lots of other blogs about the the Big Soc. By the way, was it Geoff Mulgan who in his time heading the PM's Strategy Unit that there shouldn't be a strategy for civil society?

2. Civil Society is the battleground for New Politics in the UK. This piece by Indra Adnan for the Huffington Post highlights that for some, these Big Society times are strange, counter-intutitive even. Surely policies to promote voluntary action should be of the Left? Anyway, this interesting analysis highlights that civil society is an area for competitive policy development, including for the contenders for the labour leadership. It also seems there are areas of agreement (or is that copying?). (Hat tip to Kai Rudat for the spot)

3. Why arguments against CSR are wrong. This blog nicely summarises why a few anti-corporate social responsibility arguments that have appeared in the WSJ are wrong. The Philanthrocapitalism blog is also worth reading on this issue, summing up the WSJ thus: Bah Humbug! (H/T to Commutiny for the spot)

4. Cuts undermine the Big Society. Guardian Article on why George's Marvellous Medicine is not going to do the body politic much good. (Sotto voce - Bubb's blog, on the same issue, is also rather good...)

5. A good economist knows the true value of the arts. I enjoyed this blog very much, though I have to say I felt slightly uncomfortable at times reading it as I guess John Kay might not like some of the work we do to show the 'value' of the voluntary sector. Either way, this is good reading for anyone who is thinking about whether their activity/organisation/sector contributes to the economy and therefore deserves to be funded. 

Finally, I know this blog is about stuff you might want to read, but here is something you might want to watch. Its a TED talk by David McCandless, author of Information is Beautiful. Its intelligent, informative and funny and of interest to anyone who likes the new wave of 'infographics' that are helping to explain the data that surrounds us.