As many of those on welfare have children, it is suggested that the Government will use public funds to pro vide childcare for those wishing to work. However, given that it is desirable for a parent of infants to stay at home, these people could discharge their communitarian duties by providing childcare for other claimants who wish to work outside the household. Moreover, in an economy that still has considerable unemployment, pushing welfare clients to work is likely to push others into unemployment and ultimately on to welfare. This requires boards, which exist in America, of unions and government representatives, to ensure that those who do community service will do only work that truly would not be carried out otherwise. But speeches, however well crafted, go only part of the way.
Referendums can focus a nation's attention, so long as there are no more than two or three a year.
Tony Blair needs such a public dialogue if he is to persuade people that they must change their habits, and if he is to reduce the scope of government while deepening support for what the State will continue to have to do. Professor Etzioni is the founding president of the Communitarian Network. He has just returned to his chair at George Washington University after teaching briefly at the London School of Economics.