Description
Book SynopsisIn The Civil Society Reader Don Eberly presents the classic writings of the leading scholars and organizers who have brought the civil society debate to the forefront of American politics.
Trade ReviewEmily Dickinson called poetry the best words in the best order. These essays are the poetry of our national conversation on civil society. If you want an accessible, everything-under-one-roof introduction to our current social condition, you will not find a better book. -- David Blankenhorn, president of the Institute for American Values and co-chair of the Council on Civil Society
The revival of scholarly and public policy interest in the 'institutions of civil society' is one of the more encouraging intellectual and social movements of the past decade. Still, much work needs to be done to clarify the normative tasks and limits of these institutions and to try to explain how they should properly relate to government, individual citizens, the market, and to each other. This collection of essays helps set the stage for the next round in the "civil society debate. -- Keith J. Pavlischek, Fellow, Center for Public Justice
Few know more or care more about civil society than Don Eberly, so it's not surprising that he has gathered in this book one of the finest collections of essays available on the subject. You'll agree with some, disagree with others, and learn from them all. -- E. J. Dionne Jr., syndicated columnist and editor of Community Works: The Revival of Civil Society in America
Table of ContentsPart 1 Introduction and Overview Chapter 2 The Meaning, Origins, and Applications of Civil Society Part 3 Civil Society Theory Chapter 4 The Quest for Community: A Study in the Ethics of Order and Freedom Chapter 5 Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation Chapter 6 The Good Society: We Live Through Our Institutions Chapter 7 The Demoralization of Society: What's wrong with Civil Society Chapter 8 Democracy on Trial: The Role of Civil Society in Sustaining Democratic Values Chapter 9 Communitarianism and the Moral Dimension Part 10 Community as a Generator of Social Capital Chapter 11 To Empower People: from State to Civil Society Chapter 12 Professionalized Services: Disabling Help for Communities and Citizens Chapter 13 Culture,Incentives, and the Underclass Chapter 14 The Urban Church: Faith, Outreach and the Inner City Poor Part 15 Civil Society: Civic Trust, Social Authority Chapter 16 The Lost City: The Case for Social Authority Chapter 17 Trust: The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity Part 18 Civil Society and the Democratic State Chapter 19 Democracy's Discontent: The Procedural Republic Chapter 20 Rights Talk: The Impoverishment of Political Discourse Chapter 21 The Progressive Assault of Civic Community Chapter 22 Individualism, Liberalism and Democratic Civic Society Chapter 23 American Exceptionalism Revisted: The role of Civil Society Chapter 24 Politics, Morality, and Civility
