Community works : the revival of civil society in America / E.J. Dionne, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Dionne, E. J., Jr.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil society--United States.

Civil society.

United States.

Community organization--United States.

Community organization.

Physical Description:

x, 161 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Brookings Institution Press, [1998]

Summary:

"Community Works is an outstanding collection of perspectives on the civil society debate. I don't agree with every author in the collection because no one could. That's its strength: the book demonstrates the vitality of an important debate and the energy this subject inspires. I learned from every essay". Robert Putnam, Harvard University America is experiencing a boom of voluntarism and civic mindedness. Community groups are working together to clean up their cities and neighborhoods. People are rejoining churches, civic associations, and Little Leagues. And, at every opportunity, local and national leaders are exhorting citizens to pitch in and do their part.

Why has the concept of a civil society -- an entire nation of communities, associations, civic and religious groups, and individuals all working toward the common good -- become so popular?

This book looks at the growing debate over the rise, importance, and consequences of civil society. E.J. Dionne puts the issues in perspective and explains the deep-rooted developments that are reflected in civil society's revival. Alan Wolfe and Jean Bethke Elshtain discuss reasons why the idea of a civil society is important today. Theda Skocpol and William A. Schambra offer two opposing viewpoints on where successful voluntary civic action originates -- nationally or at the local grassroots. John J. Dilulio Jr. examines the success of faith-based programs in the inner-city, and Bruce Katz studies the problems caused by concentrated poverty in those same neighborhoods. Other contributors include Bill Bradley and Gertrude Himmelfarb.

Notes:

Incudes bibliographical references (pages 145-147) and index.

ISBN:

0815718683

OCLC:

39013705