The problem with community cohesion

In 2001, civil disturbances took place in Bradford, Burnley and
Oldham. After these events community cohesion was introduced and this
concept has recently become progressively at the forefront in public policy
debates. The term was effectively developed as a direct response to the civil
disturbances in 2001 as Oldham, Burnley and the City of Bradford were at the
epicentre of disorder at this time. The civil disturbances have widely been
understood by central government as resulting from a lack of social cohesion.
The concept of community cohesion is seen, by central government, to be the
solution to solving the issues of segregation among communities. This paper
critically examines, from a policy context, the debates around community
cohesion. Drawing on qualitative research conducted in Oldham in Greater
Manchester, the paper presents an insight into how community cohesion is
perceived by policy makers and residents.