Novara FM: Britain is Broken. Can Anyone Fix It? w/ Dom Davies
Jul 4, 2024
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Dom Davies, author of The Broken Promise of Infrastructure, discusses why Britain feels broken with crumbling bridges, failing systems, and colonial railways' lasting impact. They explore the shift from 'public works' to 'neoliberal infrastructure,' emotional connections to public services, community resistance, and the link between road rage and Thatcher's ideology. The importance of empowering communities and investing in equitable infrastructure for a better future is emphasized.
Britain faces infrastructural challenges and narrative shifts impacting national identity.
Neoliberal shifts redefine infrastructure's role in driving economic competitiveness.
Historical ties to colonial powers shape infrastructure as a symbol of economic advancement and global wealth circulation.
Deep dives
Impact of Broken Britain Narrative on Politics
The notion of 'Broken Britain' has been a prevalent rallying cry, shaping political discourse. Originating during David Cameron's era, this narrative gained momentum with austerity measures that disrupted basic services, leading to a perception of governmental abstraction. The heightened immediacy of politics in daily life stems from crumbling infrastructure like transport systems and social services, fueling the idea of a broken nation.
Infrastructure's Evolution and Symbolism
Infrastructure, once a mundane term, evolved to signify economic growth and competitiveness between states. Thatcher's reference to infrastructure as essential for economic development influenced the shift from public works to infrastructure. This change in terminology highlighted infrastructure's dual significance in driving economic growth and defining national competition.
Global Interconnectedness of Infrastructure
Infrastructure reflects the historical impact of colonial powers, as investments in colonial territories contributed to national growth and economic competition. The transition from territorial expansion to national growth marked the importance of infrastructure as a symbol of economic advancement, reflecting wealth distribution in the global economy.
Reimagining Infrastructure as Community Empowerment
Communities engaging in mutual infrastructure projects, such as food banks or renewable energy initiatives, showcase a shift towards embracing infrastructure creation as a means of collective empowerment. These projects redefine infrastructure's role, fostering community cohesion and addressing local needs, challenging traditional top-down infrastructure development strategies.
Redefining Wealth Origins in Infrastructure Development
The origins of wealth and infrastructure development, exemplified by figures like Josiah Wedgwood and Elon Musk, reveal the underlying historical ties to colonial legacies and global wealth circulation. By acknowledging the diverse sources of wealth origins, society can reframe infrastructure narratives and investments towards community benefit and circular wealth reinvestment.
Empowering Communities through Infrastructure Participation
Encouraging community involvement in sustainable infrastructure projects fosters a sense of belonging, ownership, and demand for infrastructural improvements. Through decentralized and community-driven initiatives, individuals can challenge existing power structures, demand equitable infrastructure distribution, and engage in transformative infrastructure narratives that prioritize local well-being and sustainability.
Asked in a recent poll to summarise Britain in a word, ‘broken’ was the people’s top choice. This brokenness is concrete stuff: crumbling bridges, sewage-filled rivers, failing computer systems, cancelled rail projects. But it’s also bundled with the collective stories we tell about what it means to be a nation, and who belongs in it. […]
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