Exploring secular and faith-based grassroots social action in Germany and the UK, this book provides new ways of thinking about social and political belonging and about the relations between individual, collective and State responsibility.

Introduction: social activism, belonging and citizenship in a period of crisis ~ Shana Cohen and Jan-Jonathan Bock Part I: The social consequences of welfare policy Fulfilling basic human needs: the welfare state after Beveridge ~ Patrick Diamond Social division and resentment in the aftermath of the economic slump ~ Gabriella Elgenius; Part II: The practice of social good Austerity and social welfare in the UK: a perspective from the advice sector ~ Amardeep Bansil Breaking the hold of debt: Cambridge Money Advice Centre ~ John Morris Community finance: the emergence of credit unions in London ~ Paul A Jones and Michelle Howlin Finding employment and living a good life in London ~ Chris Price The Tafel and food poverty in Germany ~ Sabine Werth Addressing food poverty in the UK ~ Sarah Greenwood Helping the homeless: a soup kitchen in London ~ Martin Stone Part III: Social change and neoliberalism Social initiatives and social solidarity under austerity ~ Christina Fuhr The new economy of poverty ~ Stefan Selke Challenges for the struggle against austerity in Britain and Europe ~ Thomas Jeffrey Miley Part IV: Situating solidarity in perspective Individualism and community in historical perspective ~ Jon Lawrence Aiming for reconnection: responsible citizenship ~ Christopher Baker Conclusion: citizenship, community and solidarity at the end of the welfare state ~ Jan-Jonathan Bock and Shana Cohen

Brings together academic analysis with practitioner reflections;

Comparative, looking at two cities in Europe (London and Berlin);

Combines in one volume ethnographic, historical, political economy, philosophical, sociological, and practical examination of the social consequences of current economic policy in Europe and how individuals and groups at a local level have responded by cultivating social and material resources.