State and Civil Society in Northern Europe

State and Civil Society in Northern Europe PDF

Author: Lars Trägårdh

Publisher: Berghahn Books

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 9781845451875

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

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.

Nation-Building in the Baltic States

Nation-Building in the Baltic States PDF

Author: Gundar J. King

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-08-26

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 1482250721

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The product of more than twenty years of research, first-person observations, discussions, and policy analyses, Nation-Building in the Baltic States: Transforming Governance, Social Welfare, and Security in Northern Europe explores the characteristics of the Baltic states as positioned in the northeast corridor in terms of military strife and polit

Civil Society in the Age of Monitory Democracy

Civil Society in the Age of Monitory Democracy PDF

Author: Lars Trägårdh

Publisher: Berghahn Books

Published: 2013-05-01

Total Pages: 358

ISBN-13: 0857457578

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Since the emergence of the dissident “parallel polis” in Eastern Europe, civil society has become a “new superpower,” influencing democratic transformations, human rights, and international co-operation; co-designing economic trends, security and defense; reshaping the information society; and generating new ideas on the environment, health, and the “good life.” This volume seeks to compare and reassess the role of civil society in the rich West, the poorer South, and the quickly expanding East in the context of the twenty-first century’s challenges. It presents a novel perspective on civic movements testing John Keane’s notion of “monitory democracy”: an emerging order of public scrutiny and monitoring of power.

Civil Society and the State

Civil Society and the State PDF

Author: John Keane

Publisher: London ; New York : Verso

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 440

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Examines the origins and development of the distinction between civil society and state and its contemporary relevance in relation to households, labour markets, trade unions, voluntary associations, political parties, and state bureaucracies.

Civil Society in the Baltic Sea Region

Civil Society in the Baltic Sea Region PDF

Author: Norbert Götz

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-11-01

Total Pages: 315

ISBN-13: 1351776584

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This title was first published in 2003. The Baltic Sea region offers exceptionally rich material for the discussion of civil society. This is because it has witnessed the erosion of communist regimes, the crisis of the welfare state, the increasing importance of new social movements and the shift from a centralist paradigm to one oriented towards networks. This engaging book focuses on the phenomena and prospects for civil society in north-eastern Europe which have had a major impact on political and scholarly debates since 1989. Nineteen experts from the region provide a comprehensive and comparative account of the history, the present state and the perspectives of civil society in the Baltic Sea area. The reader will learn that civil society should not only be seen in opposition to the state and that it has a major impact on current developments of European integration.

Civil Society in Southeast Europe

Civil Society in Southeast Europe PDF

Author:

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2021-11-08

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 9004495827

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Since the fall of communism in 1989 Southeast Europe has been a site of far-reaching societal transformation, much of it marked by political crisis, economic upheaval, ethnic tension, and bitter war. The book comprises articles investigating the history and development of civil society in post-communist Southeast Europe. How is civil society to be grasped, what are the historical factors shaping the civil societies of the region?, what is the function of civil society in the transition to democracy and a market-economy?, and what are the prospects for the future development of the civil societies of the region in an age of globalization?, –these are just a few of the major questions addressed in this collection of articles. Many of the authors are social scientists, philosophers, and activists from the region, offering first-hand critical analysis of the state of civil society in Southeast Europe and suggesting theoretical and practical strategies for the future course of its development. The aim is to provide the reader with insight into the complex challenges that face the civil societies of the region.

Multilevel Democracy

Multilevel Democracy PDF

Author: Jefferey M. Sellers

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2020-03-05

Total Pages: 413

ISBN-13: 1108427782

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Explores ways to make democracy work better, with particular focus on the integral role of local institutions.

Religion and Civil Society in Europe

Religion and Civil Society in Europe PDF

Author: Joep de Hart

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-07-15

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 940076815X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Religion is back again in Europe after never having been gone. It is manifest in the revival of religious institutions and traditions in former communist countries, in political controversies about the relationship between the church(es) and the state and about the freedom of religion and the freedom to criticize religion, and in public unease about religious minorities. This book is about religion and civil society in Europe. It moves from general theoretical and normative approaches of this relationship, via the examination of national patterns of religion-state relations, to in-depth analyses of the impact of religion and secularization on the values, pro-social attitudes and civic engagement of individuals. It covers Europe from the Lutheran North to the Catholic South, and from the secularized West to the Orthodox East and Islamic South-East with comparative analyses and country studies, concluding with an overall Europe-USA comparison.

Nordic Associations in a European Perspective

Nordic Associations in a European Perspective PDF

Author: Risto Alapuro

Publisher: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft Mbh & Company

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 9783832954222

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Associations provide the most appropriate perspective to the Nordic conception of democracy. The contributions in this book analyze Nordic associations, both in a comparative and historically informed perspective. An extensive introduction relates the historical development of the Nordic countries both to Western Europe and to each other. Then, in the succeeding chapters, the book focuses on Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden and how they relate to each other or to other European countries. Reflections are made on the relevance of the long historical time span. An eloquent indication of the Nordic particularity is the importance of passive membership. It tells of the representation as the key quality of Nordic associations: it has been more important to belong, or to "be part of," than to take part. But passive membership also poses the question of the viability of the Nordic association-based practices. Does the present "crisis of representation" signal the demise of the Nordic model, or can it serve as a springboard for new forms of vigilance?

Lanterna Rally - Theme by Grace Themes