Peter Knight on why business shouldn't have to give back

With great precision, the boy set about beheading every rose in the bed. His stick flicked and flayed as he systematically destroyed beautiful public property. When asked to stop, he said: “They’re not yours, so eff off!”

It happened in London where part of the political debate is about the “big society”. In the big society, government takes a much smaller role in local life and citizens are encouraged to provide services by volunteering their time and talents for the benefit of their communities.

London’s community open spaces (as opposed to the formal parks) are tended by local government. In New York City there is a strong chance that residents will gather on a spring morning to tend the flower beds that huddle under trees on the sidewalk. The city looks after bigger spaces, helped by local volunteers.

Read this article in full at Ethical Corporation