Flint, J. and D. Robinson, Eds. (2008). Community cohesion in crisis: new dimensions of diversity and difference. Bristol, Policy Press.
This edited book aims to explore the policy agenda that seeks to address social problems through the idea of 'community' and 'community cohesion'. The book provides a critical overview of debates on community cohesion, seeking to connect the rationales and policy developments of the community cohesion agenda with the changing lived realities of neighbourhood and communities dynamics of diversity and cohesion. To provide a specific neighbourhood dimension within the new politics of community, and to counter the lack of evidence upon which debates about cohesion are often based, this book presents new empirical research based on case studies (including Bradford, Birmingham, Oldham, Rochdale, Glasgow, Edinburgh, a historical estate in Sheffield, faith organisations and community cohesion, deprived neighbourhoods, gated communities, housing and labour markets, and other examples). The authors use mixed qualitative and quantitative case studies methods as well as policy analysis in their studies. The contributions are highly interdisciplinary, drawn from geography, housing studies, legal studies, political economy, political science, sociology, social policy, public theology and urban studies.