Part I. A disintegrating society : 1. Hardship: facts and meanings -- 2. Does poverty matter? -- 3. Can anything be done? -- 4. Traditions of resistance ; Part II. Act local : 5. Citizens and civil leaders -- 6. Skills, work and money -- 7. Safety -- 8. Mainstream services -- 9. Egalitarians and greens -- 10. For baffled citizens ; Part III. Towards conclusions : 11. By what authority? -- 12. Conclusion