Building a relational society - Nicola Baker

Relationships are at the core of our being. Yet all around us, at home, on our streets, in our places of work, we see relationships fragmenting. - - Our public life is dominated by concerns about economic growth and efficiency, about preserving individual rights and consumer choices, and protecting ourselves from crime. Economic, not relational, interests are foremost in the minds of business and politicians alike. - - At the same time, public debate about family policy has reached stalemate between the traditionalists and the libertarians. A new basis for rebuilding family life and community belonging is long overdue. - - Writers in this unique collection, from their very different walks of life, challenge the neglect of our relationships. They urge a new interest in finding public policy solutions to build a society where relationships matter. - - The authors draw together evidence from social and personal psychology, economics and commerce, sociology and theology to demonstrate the costs of neglecting human relationships. Only where an over-riding concern to strengthen relationships is found can a consensus be formed to tackle the problems of urban decay, industrial relations, divorce and family tensions. - - This book calls on all political parties to put relational issues at the heart of their policy manifestos, to make strong, healthy and committed relationships the basis for a new approach to public, and especially, family policy.