The 1990's were Utopian. The Cold War ended: democracy spread around the world. At home the new economy, New Labour and new Britain declared a decisive break with the past. The roaring nineties came to an end on September 11. But then, with the collapse of the high-tech stock boom and increasing fears about globalisation, the shadows had been gathering for some time.
Here Charles Leadbeater argues that pessimism is the most powerful ideology of our times, and it is wrong. Rather, the fundamental forces shaping our society - innovation and technology, globalisation and education, democracy and self-government - should give us grounds for optimism.
Charles Leadbeater is an adviser to the Downing Street Policy Unit, the Department of Trade and Industry and the European Commission. He is also a Demos research associate and a journalist for the Guardian, Financial Times and New Statesman. His previous book, LIVING ON THIN AIR, was published by Viking in 1999. He lives in London E8.