Why does urban nihilism exist?

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Do people remember the name Sean Egan? He was at the centre of one of the biggest stories of the year when, as manager of a Morrisons supermarket in Walsall, he intervened when a shoplifter became aggressive as he was being escorted off the premises. He was subsequently fired.

Or how about the 13-year-old boy in London back in February, who allegedly attacked another pupil in the classroom and allegedly filmed it on his phone while other pupils and a teacher were present?

It could also be argued that both of these stories are examples of urban nihilism. It is not just the crimes that define them as such. It is where the stories occurred and where the public, by and large, expect to feel safe. It is the man in the first story being punished, not just for stopping illegality, but for doing his socially expected moral duty. It is the brazenness of the perpetrator allegedly filming the incident on their phone.

Urban nihilism could be best described as a weakening of shared bonds, dislocation and a lack of purpose within urban environments. It is the increase of individualism. It is a lack of belonging and a society that has become increasingly materialistic but less spiritually grounded. This phenomenon is not confined to criminal acts. In a poll by YouGov, 38 per cent of under-40s say they would refuse to serve in the event of a new world war, while 30 per cent say they would not serve even in the face of the country in danger of an imminent invasion. When asked the reasons why they would not serve, nearly half (47 per cent) said that they would not fight for the rich and powerful, were opposed to war or would not fight for the people who currently live in it. Compare this to one per cent of those eligible for conscription during the Second World War refusing to fight.

This pattern can also be seen in marriage. In 1991, 58.4 per cent of adults were married compared to 51 per cent of adults in 2025 in either a marriage or a civil marriage. Just under half (48 per cent) say that they do not see the point.

Both serving one’s country and getting married used to be seen as sources of pride in the UK. Now many people see them as sources of irritation and not serving them any purpose. Added to this is a performative element, as people will post their reasons for doing neither or social media for the whole world to see, rather than keep their opinions between themselves and close friends and family.

There are the usual reasons that could be given for this – poverty, broken homes and so on. But could the reasons for this have a deeper meaning?

Are people more connected with the online world rather than the social contract and looking for validation from their online peers? Why have bonds between young people and the state dissolved? Do people have the social and moral authority to reverse this? How do religion and secularism play a role in this?

SPEAKER
Jide Ehizele is a Christian thinker and writer focusing on faith, identity and cultural renewal. Jide’s writing wrestles with faith, politics and community from the perspective of a Black British Christian living in modern Britain.