Chapter 15.
The fundamental human drive to connect, collaborate, and exert influence beyond the immediate confines of the state and familial bonds has manifested in diverse organizational forms throughout British history. The story of civil society in the UK is one of evolving forms, shifting motivations, and an enduring commitment to collective agency. Understanding this historical trajectory, illuminated by the insights of key thinkers and contemporary research, reveals the vital role of civil society in shaping the nation’s social, economic, and political landscape.
The earliest seeds of what we might recognise as civil society in the UK can be traced back to the medieval period with the emergence of guilds. These associations of merchants and craftspeople, as previously discussed, operated with significant autonomy within their local contexts. They established their own rules governing trade practices, apprenticeship systems, and member welfare, fostering a strong sense of professional solidarity and collective identity. As Peter Clark notes in British Clubs and Societies 1580-1800: The Origins of an Associational World, these early forms demonstrated a crucial capacity for self-organisation and the pursuit of shared interests outside the direct purview of the Crown or feudal lords.
The subsequent centuries witnessed a gradual expansion and diversification of associational life. The rise of towns and a burgeoning middle class spurred the development of new social and cultural organisations. As Clark further illustrates, this era saw the proliferation of clubs and societies dedicated to intellectual discourse and charitable endeavours. These gatherings, often centred in coffee houses and taverns, provided spaces for individuals to connect based on shared interests, fostering a nascent “public sphere” as described by Jürgen Habermas in The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere.
The 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant flourishing of civil society, coinciding with industrialisation and urbanisation. This era witnessed an explosion of voluntary organisations dedicated to a wide array of causes, from religious and philanthropic societies to trade unions and political reform movements. As David Owen argues in The Government of Victorian London, 1855-1889: The Metropolitan Board of Works, the Vestries, and the City Corporation, the sheer scale of social problems spurred the growth of numerous charitable organisations as individuals sought to address poverty and disease through collective action.
The burgeoning trade union movement, as chronicled by historians like E.P. Thompson in The Making of the English Working Class, represented a powerful manifestation of working-class individuals organising to improve their working conditions and advocate for political rights. The insights of Alexis de Tocqueville, though focused on American democracy, offer a valuable framework for understanding this flourishing of associational life. As he observed in Democracy in America, the “art of association” is fundamental to a vibrant society, fostering civic engagement and providing a crucial counterbalance to the power of the state.
The 20th century brought further evolution to British civil society, marked by the expansion of the welfare state and the rise of new social movements. While the state took on greater responsibility for social provision, voluntary organisations continued to play a vital role, often acting as innovators and advocates for marginalised groups. The emergence of environmental movements, feminist organisations, and anti-racist campaigns demonstrated the capacity of civil society to articulate new demands and challenge established norms. The work of scholars like Anthony Giddens in The Consequences of Modernity highlighted the increasing reflexivity of modern societies, where civil society organisations play a crucial role in shaping public discourse.
Throughout this historical development, the profound insights of Václav Havel provide a crucial undercurrent for understanding the fundamental significance of civil society. Havel’s concept of “the power of the powerless,” articulated through his experience in Czechoslovakia, resonates deeply with the struggles of civil society across different eras. Whether it was the resistance of early trade unions or contemporary activism, Havel’s emphasis on the inherent power of individuals to “live within the truth” and to form independent associations offers a powerful lens through which to view these collective actions.
In contemporary Britain, the landscape of civil society is increasingly shaped by the digital age. The internet has lowered barriers to entry and amplified the reach of a diverse range of organisations. Groups like 38 Degrees exemplify the power of online mobilisation for political action, while organisations like Transparency International UK leverage digital platforms to advocate for greater accountability. Humanists UK, evolving from the early Ethical Societies, utilises online tools to connect with a wider audience and campaign for secular values. The National Secular Society maintains a strong online presence to advocate for the separation of church and state. These digitally enabled forms of civil society underscore Havel’s notion that the impulse for collective action and the assertion of individual agency remain powerful forces.
The findings of the recent “Revealing Social Capital” project offer a crucial contemporary lens through which to examine the state of civil society in the UK. Their research highlights the significance of “economic connectedness” for social mobility and well-being, revealing regional variations in the strength of these ties. This data underscores the ongoing importance of fostering connections across socioeconomic divides within civil society to promote a more equitable and cohesive nation. The project’s findings on the link between social capital and well-being also resonate with Havel’s understanding of the importance of genuine human connection and solidarity. While traditional forms of civic engagement may be evolving, the project’s focus on broader social capital suggests that the fundamental human impulse to connect and act collectively persists.
However, as Robert Putnam cautioned in Bowling Alone, modern life can also lead to a decline in traditional forms of social capital. While the “Revealing Social Capital” project offers some nuances to this thesis, the need to actively foster social connections remains paramount. Havel’s emphasis on “living within the truth” also underscores the importance of authenticity within civil society, warning against the potential for superficial or manipulated collective action.
Building upon this historical trajectory and contemporary landscape, a crucial element that underpins individual engagement and collective action is the concept of Moral Ambition, powerfully articulated by Rutger Bregman. This framework suggests that a deep-seated desire to utilise one’s talents to address the world’s most pressing problems serves as a potent and intrinsically rewarding motivator. For many in the UK, this “Moral Ambition” fuels their involvement in diverse organisations and movements.
This contemporary understanding of motivation resonates with the historical development of civil society. The driving forces behind transformative social movements were often individuals deeply imbued with a sense of moral purpose and a profound desire to rectify injustices. Their personal ambitions became inextricably linked with a commitment to a greater good, mirroring Bregman’s assertion that true fulfilment lies in directing one’s abilities towards meaningful impact. The enduring legacy of ethical societies and the humanist movement further exemplifies this moral ambition.
In the digital age, moral ambition has found new avenues for expression and collective action. The ease of online organisation and heightened awareness have empowered individuals to channel their ethical commitments into tangible action. The rapid mobilisation capabilities of groups like 38 Degrees attract individuals driven by a desire to influence political issues, while the data-driven advocacy of groups such as Transparency International UK reflects a moral ambition to foster greater accountability. The growing movement for climate action is undeniably fuelled by a deep moral imperative to protect the planet.
Bregman’s own work and the initiatives surrounding the School for Moral Ambition directly aim to cultivate this drive in individuals. The establishment of a UK community lead for this initiative underscores the growing recognition of moral ambition as a vital catalyst for social impact. This contemporary focus aligns with the historical ethos of civil society as a space where individuals, driven by a sense of responsibility, can collectively shape the destiny of their communities and the nation.
The concept of moral ambition offers a powerful and timely framework for understanding the enduring motivations of civil society engagement in the UK. It underscores the intrinsic reward and profound societal benefit that arise when individuals consciously direct their talents and ambitions towards addressing the complex challenges of our time. From the historical struggles for social justice to the contemporary surge in digitally enabled activism, moral ambition has served as a vital driving force behind the collective action that has shaped the UK. As the nation navigates the complexities of the 21st century, fostering and channelling this inherent moral ambition within its citizenry will be crucial for building a more just, equitable, and sustainable future through the continued work of its civil society.
Conclusion:
Having journeyed through the intricate “Web of Power,” we have peeled back the layers to reveal its many faces. From the raw force of ‘Might’ and the explanations for the unseen in ‘Faith,’ to the structured dictates of ‘Law’ and the collective dynamics of ‘Politics,’ we have seen how power manifests in every corner of our existence. We have explored the profound influence of ‘Culture,’ the shaping force of ‘Media,’ and the tangible impact of ‘Wealth,’ recognising how entities like ‘Corporations’ and ‘Economics’ operate as powerful “useful myths” in our shared imagination. Even our ‘Physical Environments,’ ‘Education,’ and the very fabric of ‘Civil Society’ are intertwined with its pervasive threads.
To touch any part of a spider’s web is, to some extent, to affect the whole. The various manifestations of power are not distinct; they are deeply interconnected, influencing and reinforcing one another in a dynamic, living system. This first book has been an invitation to see the world not as a collection of isolated forces, but as a holistic, integrated network. Understanding these currents of influence, recognising their origins and how they ripple through society, is the essential first step towards navigating our complex world. This awareness is the foundation. With this clearer vision, you are now equipped to move beyond passive observation and can proactively embrace power—a journey we will embark upon next in ‘Human Agency,’ the second part of the book Grasp the Nettle.
Grasp the Nettle part 2 – Human Agency: Embracing Power
Bibliography
Benkler, Yochai, Robert Faris, and Hal Roberts. Network Propaganda: Manipulation, Disinformation, and Radicalization in American Politics. Oxford University Press, 2018.
Bregman, Rutger. Humankind: A Hopeful History. Translated by Erica Moore, Little, Brown and Company, 2020.
Carlyle, Thomas. On Heroes, Hero Worship, and the Heroic in History. 1841.
Clark, Peter. British Clubs and Societies 1580-1800: The Origins of an Associational World. Oxford University Press, 2000.
Fiske, John. Television Culture. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2011.
Giddens, Anthony. The Consequences of Modernity. Stanford University Press, 1990.
Habermas, Jürgen. The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society. Translated by Thomas Burger, MIT Press, 1989.
Hall, Stuart, editor. Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. 2nd ed., Sage Publications, 2013.
Hari, Johann. Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again. Crown, 2022.
Owen, David. The Government of Victorian London, 1855-1889: The Metropolitan Board of Works, the Vestries, and the City Corporation. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1984.
Pariser, Eli. The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You. Penguin Press, 2011.
Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Schudson, Michael. The Sociology of News. 2nd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2011.
Stephens, Mitchell. A History of News. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2014.
Sunstein, Cass R. Republic.com 2.0. Princeton University Press, 2007.
Thompson, E. P. The Making of the English Working Class. Vintage Books, 1966.
Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. 1835/1840.
Turkle, Sherry. Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Basic Books, 2011.
Zuboff, Shoshana. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. PublicAffairs, 2019.