Floods of excuses

Quote

“But O the change! the winds grow high; Impending tempests charge the sky;
The lightning flies, the thunder roars; And big waves lash the frightened shores.”

Matthew Prior, English poet (1664-1721)

News

This has been the wettest winter for parts of Britain since records began in 1776.  A relentless series of storms has battered the British Isles, causing £600 million of damage and leaving thousands of homes flooded. 

In a country that is quick to point the finger in blame, various ‘villains’ have emerged: government spending cuts, failure to dredge rivers, the Environment Agency, dithering politicians.  And of course, all those responsible for climate change. 

While some of these ‘villains’ were making excuses, plenty of ordinary heroes got to work: neighbours and volunteers keeping watch on water levels, helping people evacuate, distributing sandbags, providing shelter and emergency supplies.  Some have travelled across the country to where help was needed most.

When a crisis overwhelms the normal structures and procedures for dealing with adverse conditions, it somehow gives ‘permission’ to people to volunteer their time and resources – often tirelessly and sacrificially – on a scale not seen under normal conditions. 

How might such a generous community spirit be unlocked more easily?  Does take a crisis to bring it out?  It seems it’s a function of social capital: the stronger the relationships are in a community, the more aware people are of others’ needs, and more willing to help each other out. 

So in response to these storms, we need to spend more on more flood protection, yes, but we would also do well to build stronger community relationships.  It gives people more excuses for kindness.   

Read on

A recent article in Nature discusses how social contracts involving the state, civil society and individual actors need to evolve to cope with the likely increase in extreme weather events.  Read the paper comparing flooding in Ireland and England here.

Walk the talk

If you live in Britain, why not sign up on http://floodvolunteers.co.uk/ to offer some time or practical assistance to a flooded community near you? 

The last word

From the Bible, Acts chapter 20, verse 35: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Relational State of the Union

Quote

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”  Theodore Roosevelt

News

Last week’s State of the Union address by President Obama revealed his view of the condition of America economically, socially and politically.  Looking through a relational lens suggests that beneath the conventional analysis there are three areas of relationship vital to the long term health and sustainability of American society.

Politically, the relationships between elected politicians from different parties has become chronically dysfunctional to the point that President Obama told Congress that he would enact reforms wherever possible without involving them.  Only 58 bills were passed in 2013, the lowest on record, and public trust in US politicians is a lamentable 19%.  Relational capital in politics is built on the tough art of compromise for the common good. 

Economically, the gap between rich and poor is widening.  Recent increases in wealth have largely gone to owners of capital, rather than to people who do the real work in companies (unless the latter are paid in shares – one reason why top executives’ pay has been soaring while average wages are stagnant).  Relational capital will fall if the profits of hard work and effort are not shared out fairly. 

Domestically, the relationship between couples – whether married or cohabiting – is crucial to their own health and wellbeing as well as that of their children.  Children raised in two parent families (the proportion is steadily declining, currently 64% in the US) consistently achieve better life outcomes than children raised by one parent.  Relational capital in the family collapses when there is a breakdown in the couple relationship, leading to significant economic costs, besides the social and emotional price tag.

America was built on the ability of diverse people to live and work together in pursuit of a common vision and dream.  Their capacity now to overcome major problems such as spiralling national debt, unequal access to healthcare, and polarised politics may ultimately depend on their ability to rebuild their social and relational capital. 

Might it be the relational state of the union which matters the most?

Read on…

Another major long term problem which is essentially relational in nature is how to ensure adequate care for an ageing population; read an article in the Washington Post about the crisis of care facing American baby-boomers here.

Walk the talk

If someone were to assess the relational state of your town or community, where might its strengths and weaknesses lie?  Why not start a conversation with a couple of friends along these lines?

The last word

From the Bible, Proverbs 11 verse 11: “Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.”