End State: 9 Ways Society is Broken and How we Fix it, with James Plunkett

Feb 14, 2024

James Plunkett, an influential author and policy advisor, dives into the critical issues plaguing our society today. He discusses the disconnect between outdated institutions and modern challenges, emphasizing the need for systemic change. Highlighting the importance of bold decisions, the conversation critiques current welfare systems and advocates for inclusive governance that speaks to both young and old. Plunkett remains optimistic, urging collective action and innovative strategies to foster a resilient future for all.

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ANECDOTE

Brown and Berners-Lee

James Plunkett recalls a meeting between Gordon Brown and Tim Berners-Lee.
He observed a disconnect in their communication, highlighting the gap between traditional government and the digital age.

INSIGHT

Historical Parallels

Researching his book, James Plunkett found parallels between current societal unease and that of the Industrial Revolution.
He discovered that anxieties around technological advancements and inadequate institutions are recurring themes.

ANECDOTE

19th-Century Pollution Protest

Manda Scott shares a quote from a letter to The Times protesting river pollution during the Industrial Revolution.
She highlights the striking similarity between past and present environmental concerns.

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This week, I spoke with James Plunkett, a man who has spent his career at the intersection of policy and social change. From the halls of Number Ten to the charity sector's front lines, James's unique perspective has birthed a book that critically examines what's wrong with our society and offers tangible fixes. Together, we dissect our societal challenges, from outdated institutions to the technology of gods, and discuss structured ways to mend a fractured system.

James has spent his entire career thinking laterally about the complicated relationships between individuals and the state, with a particular focus on digital transformation and public policy, from the social innovation agency Nesta to the charity Citizens Advice and before that roles at 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office, and the Resolution Foundation think tank.

James combines a deep understanding of social issues with an appreciation of how change is playing out not in the ivory tower, but in the reality of people’s lives. As a result of all these insights, he's written an optimistic book, 'End State: 9 Ways Society is Broken and How we fix it.' that explores how we can reform the state to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

As you'll hear, he didn't think of this as a hopeful book when he began - it was more of a response to seeing the ways the old system of the 20th century was not keeping up with the new world. How we have, in EO WIlson's words, 'Paleolithic emotions, Mediaeval Institutions and the Technology of gods' and this isn't necessarily a good combination to face the meta-crisis. But James did come out with hope for the future and structured ways our current system could make these happen. Accidental Gods often inhabits a world where the current system is broken beyond repair and the only answer is to create a new one and help people shift into it. So this was fascinating, enlivening conversation with someone who has lived and worked in the heart of the superorganism and can see ways through to a world where the human and more than human worlds flourish.

James's book https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/james-plunkett/end-state/9781398702202/
James on Twitter https://twitter.com/jamestplunkett
James on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/jamestplunkett.bsky.social
James on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-plunkett-a1472827/
James on Medium https://medium.com/@jamestplunkett