State and civil society in Northern Europe : the Swedish model reconsidered / edited by Lars Trägårdh.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Trägårdh, Lars, editor.

Series:

European civil society ; v. 3.

European civil society ; volume 3

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil society--Sweden.

Civil society.

Democracy--Sweden.

Democracy.

Social capital (Sociology)--Sweden.

Social capital (Sociology).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (294 pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

New York : Berghahn Books, 2007.

Summary:

In the current neo-liberal political and economic climate, it is often suggested that a large and strong state stands in opposition to an autonomous and vibrant civil society. However, the simultaneous presence in Sweden of both a famously large public sector and an unusually vital civil society poses an interesting and important theoretical challenge to these views with serious political and policy implications. Studies show that in a comparative context Sweden scores very highly when it comes to the strength and vitality of its civil society as well as social capital, as measured in terms of trust, lack of corruption, and membership of voluntary associations. The “Swedish Model,” therefore, offers important insights into the dynamics of state and civil society relations, which go against current trends of undermining the importance of the welfare state, and presents autonomous civic participation as the only way forward.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

CONTRIBUTORS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

EDITORS’ PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 THE “CIVIL SOCIETY” DEBATE IN SWEDEN: THE WELFARE STATE CHALLENGED

Chapter 2 CIVIL SOCIETY AND GLOBALIZATION: RETHINKING THE CATEGORIES

Chapter 3 VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION INVOLVEMENT IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Chapter 4 CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN A SCANDINAVIAN WELFARE STATE: PATTERNS IN CONTEMPORARY SWEDEN

Chapter 5 ASSOCIATIONAL LIFE, YOUTH, AND POLITICAL CAPITAL FORMATION IN SWEDEN: HISTORICAL LEGACIES AND CONTEMPORARY TRENDS

Chapter 6 MORE CENTRALIZATION, LESS DEMOCRACY: THE DECLINE OF THE DEMOCRATIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORWAY

Chapter 7 THE STATE AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: THE SWEDISH CASE

Chapter 8 DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND THE CREATION OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN SWEDEN: THE DISCREET CHARM OF GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSIONS

INDEX

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-80758-389-9

1-84545-232-1

1-84545-187-2

1-78238-200-3