Social Clubs, Community Power, and Political Participation
by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh and Oliver Holtaway
by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh and Oliver Holtaway
April 2025
April 2025
The Centre for Democratic Business’ new report – ‘Social Clubs, Community Power, and Political Participation’ – explores the historical and contemporary role of social clubs in British civil society. Originating in the mid-19th century, social clubs emerged as member-led, not-for-profit institutions that provided not only recreational spaces for their members, but also opportunities for political education and civic engagement. These clubs were vital to the development of working-class communities in a new industrial economy and the emerging - but not inevitable - era of mass democracy, serving as spaces for political debate, associational life, and economic mutualism.
The Centre for Democratic Business’ new report – ‘Social Clubs, Community Power, and Political Participation’ – explores the historical and contemporary role of social clubs in British civil society. Originating in the mid-19th century, social clubs emerged as member-led, not-for-profit institutions that provided not only recreational spaces for their members, but also opportunities for political education and civic engagement. These clubs were vital to the development of working-class communities in a new industrial economy and the emerging - but not inevitable - era of mass democracy, serving as spaces for political debate, associational life, and economic mutualism.
The Centre for Democratic Business’ new report – ‘Social Clubs, Community Power, and Political Participation’ – explores the historical and contemporary role of social clubs in British civil society. Originating in the mid-19th century, social clubs emerged as member-led, not-for-profit institutions that provided not only recreational spaces for their members, but also opportunities for political education and civic engagement. These clubs were vital to the development of working-class communities in a new industrial economy and the emerging - but not inevitable - era of mass democracy, serving as spaces for political debate, associational life, and economic mutualism.
By offering spaces for these activities, clubs functioned as incubators of political literacy and participation, which involved lectures, lending libraries, and self-run learning groups. By the early 20th century, these clubs were not just local hubs but influential in political representation, with many club members holding positions in local and national government - at one point club members accounted for nearly a third of all MPs in parliament. This legacy underscores the role of social clubs in training citizens for democratic life, but also the void in our contemporary civil society.
By offering spaces for these activities, clubs functioned as incubators of political literacy and participation, which involved lectures, lending libraries, and self-run learning groups. By the early 20th century, these clubs were not just local hubs but influential in political representation, with many club members holding positions in local and national government - at one point club members accounted for nearly a third of all MPs in parliament. This legacy underscores the role of social clubs in training citizens for democratic life, but also the void in our contemporary civil society.
By offering spaces for these activities, clubs functioned as incubators of political literacy and participation, which involved lectures, lending libraries, and self-run learning groups. By the early 20th century, these clubs were not just local hubs but influential in political representation, with many club members holding positions in local and national government - at one point club members accounted for nearly a third of all MPs in parliament. This legacy underscores the role of social clubs in training citizens for democratic life, but also the void in our contemporary civil society.
However, the landscape for social clubs has changed significantly in recent decades. Many have faced closure due to financial struggles, demographic shifts, and declining participation in community governance. Despite this, some clubs have re-emerged with modernised offerings, such as LGBTQ+ community spaces or cultural programmes that appeal to younger demographics. These adaptive strategies suggest that while parts of the traditional model may have faded, the core values of collective action and mutual ownership remain important.
However, the landscape for social clubs has changed significantly in recent decades. Many have faced closure due to financial struggles, demographic shifts, and declining participation in community governance. Despite this, some clubs have re-emerged with modernised offerings, such as LGBTQ+ community spaces or cultural programmes that appeal to younger demographics. These adaptive strategies suggest that while parts of the traditional model may have faded, the core values of collective action and mutual ownership remain important.
However, the landscape for social clubs has changed significantly in recent decades. Many have faced closure due to financial struggles, demographic shifts, and declining participation in community governance. Despite this, some clubs have re-emerged with modernised offerings, such as LGBTQ+ community spaces or cultural programmes that appeal to younger demographics. These adaptive strategies suggest that while parts of the traditional model may have faded, the core values of collective action and mutual ownership remain important.
The report also identifies social clubs as part of the solution to the UK's growing 'connection crisis’. Amidst rising political disillusionment and social fragmentation, clubs offer grounded, face-to-face venues for community building and political engagement. The report argues that with proper support, clubs could serve as crucial partners for local governments and civil society organisations in enhancing local democracy, sites for service delivery, and reconnecting people into the national project.
The report also identifies social clubs as part of the solution to the UK's growing 'connection crisis’. Amidst rising political disillusionment and social fragmentation, clubs offer grounded, face-to-face venues for community building and political engagement. The report argues that with proper support, clubs could serve as crucial partners for local governments and civil society organisations in enhancing local democracy, sites for service delivery, and reconnecting people into the national project.
The report also identifies social clubs as part of the solution to the UK's growing 'connection crisis’. Amidst rising political disillusionment and social fragmentation, clubs offer grounded, face-to-face venues for community building and political engagement. The report argues that with proper support, clubs could serve as crucial partners for local governments and civil society organisations in enhancing local democracy, sites for service delivery, and reconnecting people into the national project.
'The underexplored relationship between social clubs and political participation deserves greater attention from civil society bodies, political parties, government institutions, and think tanks.'
'The underexplored relationship between social clubs and political participation deserves greater attention from civil society bodies, political parties, government institutions, and think tanks.'
'The underexplored relationship between social clubs and political participation deserves greater attention from civil society bodies, political parties, government institutions, and think tanks.'
Key arguments
Key arguments
Key arguments
Over history, social clubs have been one of our most potent and durable forms of social infrastructure: everyday spaces essential for building local trust and civic capacity.
Over history, social clubs have been one of our most potent and durable forms of social infrastructure: everyday spaces essential for building local trust and civic capacity.
Over history, social clubs have been one of our most potent and durable forms of social infrastructure: everyday spaces essential for building local trust and civic capacity.
As member-run spaces, clubs have and still serve as democratic training grounds that can inspire civic and political engagement in local and national matters, which is now more relevant than ever.
As member-run spaces, clubs have and still serve as democratic training grounds that can inspire civic and political engagement in local and national matters, which is now more relevant than ever.
As member-run spaces, clubs have and still serve as democratic training grounds that can inspire civic and political engagement in local and national matters, which is now more relevant than ever.
Unlike online organising networks, social clubs offer community and political organisers the opportunity to develop richer, more rounded relationships with each other in a more sociable, face-to-face environment.
Unlike online organising networks, social clubs offer community and political organisers the opportunity to develop richer, more rounded relationships with each other in a more sociable, face-to-face environment.
Unlike online organising networks, social clubs offer community and political organisers the opportunity to develop richer, more rounded relationships with each other in a more sociable, face-to-face environment.
Public institutions could partner with social clubs to enhance local and national democracy, particularly to engage groups who are more remote from political influence, and feel they have no control over their lives.
Public institutions could partner with social clubs to enhance local and national democracy, particularly to engage groups who are more remote from political influence, and feel they have no control over their lives.
Public institutions could partner with social clubs to enhance local and national democracy, particularly to engage groups who are more remote from political influence, and feel they have no control over their lives.
Local governments and civil society organisations can use clubs as venues for political events, planning consultations, and integrated service delivery.
Local governments and civil society organisations can use clubs as venues for political events, planning consultations, and integrated service delivery.
Local governments and civil society organisations can use clubs as venues for political events, planning consultations, and integrated service delivery.
Financial support and business development programmes are necessary to revitalise clubs, modernise facilities, and broaden membership, alongside the need for more specialist governance training required for membership organisations.
Financial support and business development programmes are necessary to revitalise clubs, modernise facilities, and broaden membership, alongside the need for more specialist governance training required for membership organisations.
Financial support and business development programmes are necessary to revitalise clubs, modernise facilities, and broaden membership, alongside the need for more specialist governance training required for membership organisations.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
Social clubs should be seen as key enablers of democratic life, supporting ordinary people to engage with political issues from the local to the national level.
Social clubs should be seen as key enablers of democratic life, supporting ordinary people to engage with political issues from the local to the national level.
Social clubs should be seen as key enablers of democratic life, supporting ordinary people to engage with political issues from the local to the national level.
Clubs’ legacy of democratic governance and political education represents an opportunity to recapture these approaches in our current passive and disconnected culture.
Clubs’ legacy of democratic governance and political education represents an opportunity to recapture these approaches in our current passive and disconnected culture.
Clubs’ legacy of democratic governance and political education represents an opportunity to recapture these approaches in our current passive and disconnected culture.
With the right support, these clubs can be part of rebuilding trust in political institutions by engaging more people in the democratic spirit that underpinned the rise of popular politics.
With the right support, these clubs can be part of rebuilding trust in political institutions by engaging more people in the democratic spirit that underpinned the rise of popular politics.
With the right support, these clubs can be part of rebuilding trust in political institutions by engaging more people in the democratic spirit that underpinned the rise of popular politics.
Full Report
Full Report
Full Report
To access and download the full report in PDF format please fill in the form below:
To access and download the full report in PDF format please fill in the form below:
To access and download the full report in PDF format please fill in the form below:
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
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The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Guillermo Ortego
You can subscribe to our newsletter here
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Guillermo Ortego