| Description |
xx, 148 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm |
| Series |
Civil Society. Historical and contemporary perspectives |
|
Civil society. Historical and contemporary perspectives
|
| Contents |
Civil society - our invisible colossus -- Definitions and descriptions -- Origins of our extraordinary civil society -- Effective citizenship - effective government - effective citizenship -- Volunteers, voluntary organizations, and private philanthropy : the independent sector -- Preserving and strengthening civil society -- Prospects for an enduring democracy |
| Summary |
The volume sets out what can be done "to improve the prospects of an enduring democracy" including a greatly increased role for education in preparing students for their essential roles as citizens, reorientation of public administrators for greater involvement of citizens, and applying what we already know about passing on to future generations the nation's traditions of service and generosity |
|
The book traces the concept and practice of citizens as the primary office holders of government and government's essential responsibility to keep open such freedoms as assembly and association to allow and encourage citizen participation and influence in every aspect of society. It enumerates the weakening of these essential underpinnings of democracy through indifference, selfishness, loss of confidence in government, governmental limits on citizen participation, the influence of special interests on elected officials, separation between the haves and have nots, intolerance, and incivility |
| Analysis |
Civil liberties |
|
Civil society |
|
Community participation |
|
Nongovernment welfare sector |
|
Overseas item |
|
Political participation |
|
Private sector public sector comparisons |
|
State and the individual |
|
United States |
|
Voluntary workers |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 127-138) and index |
| Subject |
Associations, institutions, etc. -- United States.
|
|
Civil society -- United States.
|
|
Political participation -- United States.
|
|
Voluntarism -- United States.
|
| Author |
Gardner, John W. (John William), 1912-2002.
|
| LC no. |
98050172 |
| ISBN |
0874519241 |
|
087451925X |
|
