ABSTRACT
The perception that society is ‘in crisis’ often features in both journalistic and social scientific discourse. Perceptions of ‘crisis’ implicitly have at their core some notion of society’s normal state. If existing arrangements differ from the presumed normal state, commentators are apt to see a ‘crisis’. Since normal society involves a balance of interests, society tends always to be in crisis from the perspective of the ideologically-committed. Narrowly conceived critical perspectives tend to elevate collective values, and narrowly conceived neo-conservative perspectives tend to elevate the value of the individual. The notion of ‘crisis’ as an endemic feature of society is harder to sustain when political systems are seen as necessarily seeking some reconciliation of values both of categorical equity and individualised justice. This perspective helps us to recognise as inevitable the tensions that arise in pursuing a temperate treatment for all people, as individuals and as instances of collective social categories. If these tensions are inevitable, so is social conflict. Using the language of degree and increment reserves the language of ‘crisis’ for extreme circumstances – a dictatorial government, a proven conspiracy, a corrupt constabulary.
