Civil Society: The Underpinnings of American Democracy by Brian O'Connell

From the Publisher

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. 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 rescues the concept of 'civil society' from its many fragmented and distorted interpretations and provides a definition that is comprehensive, theoretically grounded and practical . . . [O'Connell] is a practioner who has made civil society his life's work . . . He is one of the most profound thinkers in this field, as well as a prolific and graceful writer.

Product Details

• ISBN: 087451925X
  
• ISBN-13: 9780874519259
• Format: Textbook Paperback, 169pp
• Publisher: University Press of New England
• Pub. Date: March 1999
• Edition Number: 1
• Sales Rank: 304,792
• Series: Civil Society Series

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents