Civicness in the Governance and Delivery of Social Services

by Taco Brandsen

The market, the state, and the third sector have all been heralded as central agents in civilizing modern societies. It has been claimed that participation in voluntary associations enables people to learn civic skills and, in effect, to become more "civilized." Likewise, there are claims about the civilizing effects of doux commerce - the ability of trade and commerce to mitigate conflicts and convert them into peaceful competition. And, according to many political and legal theories, democratic states and their institutions are the final bulwark of civil virtues. However, the voluntary sector can be a source of: particularism, market exploitation, or state oppression. This book, which brings together contributors from across Europe, argues that such sector perspectives should be set aside. It examines how the civicness and civility of organizations and individuals can be identified and encouraged in any institutional setting. Crossing traditional spheres and disciplines, the book explores the concept of "civicness" to search for the source of our modern civil society. The publication is a result of the European Network of Excellence CINEFOGO (Civil society and New Forms of Governance).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3832954201
• ISBN13: 9783832954208
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft
• Length: 290 Pages