What is the Big Society? Some argue that it is a genuine vision for the future, others that it is simply a smokescreen for stringent and inevitable cuts in public-spending. As a concept it has been considered as too vague and unintelligible to attract sufficient numbers of voters, yet is already presenting a powerful case that devolved government will cost less and do more. The Big Society is a bold and radical attempt to strengthen communities and civil society in order to deliver public services more efficiently, and a fundamental tenet of Big Society theory is the decentralization of power away from Whitehall. The prize should be increased accountability and efficiency and a dramatic reduction in bureaucracy and cost to the economy. This hugely important book provides a most timely and important answer to a question perhaps best described as rhetorical: it is essential reading for politicians, economists, social commentators - and the voting public.