Conclusions and new policy directions

Abstract

In this concluding chapter we focus on the relationship between the Foundational Economy and new emerging forms of citizenship. Our starting point is the argument that Foundational thinking is necessarily underpinned by the fostering of a new and universalistic model of citizenship; a model that emphasises the active and social nature of citizenship where people continually work on, engage with, dispute and argue over their rights and duties. We summarise the encouraging examples detailed by the contributors to the book of policies across different scales and levels of governance. We conclude by arguing that the basis for taking this work forward should be the recognition that a new model of citizenship needs to be based on the actions of an enabling state that go well beyond the strengthening of individual human capital and activation.