Growing Civil Society: From Nonprofit Sector to Third Space (Philanthropic Studies) [Hardcover]

Jon Van Til (Author)

Book Description

Series: Philanthropic Studies | Publication Date: September 2000

"Growing Civil Society" provides the general reader with an understanding of how America's third sector - its voluntary and non-profit organisations - interacts with governmental and business organisations to provide a voice to society's many interests and services to citizens in need. Which does not imply that our generation is so much wiser or more civilised than the generation that initiated the great war of 1861-1865 for the destiny of America. To balance the loss in war of over 400,000 largely white American lives against the gain of freedom for nearly 4 million slaves requires a higher than human capacity to weigh conflicting values. Still, the liberating of so many, and of their descendants, along with the preservation of the American experiment in democracy, may well appear to our rough human calculations as gains not falling short after all of justification for the terrible price of the Civil War.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Creatively reframing now-familiar concepts of civil society, third sector, and social capital, Van Til builds a compelling argument for a 'third space,' where individuals and organizations come together to reflect and act to create the community and society they need." —Susan Ostrander, Tufts University

(Susan Ostrander, Tufts University )

"Van Til's book is a valuable and refreshing contribution to the increasingly important question of how, and in what ways, the non-market, non-governmental associations of civil society contribute to social goods and goals." —Mark Warren, Georgetown University

(Mark Warren, Georgetown University )

This book investigates the role of voluntary action and nonprofit organization in contemporary America. It notes that society contains four sectors – governmental, market, family and nonproft – and argues that the concept of a 'third space' is a more useful way of conceptualizing the area of society that is occupied by nonprofits as well as many individuals and organizations that come together to work for the common good. Van Til is a respected commentator on nonprofit and philanthropic issues and he notes in the preface to this paperback edition that this book has been ten years in gestation. He offers a rounded review of third sector activity, including successes and limitations. But ultimately the author is a champion of his focus of study, arguing that the third space is crucial because it has the potential to be a wellspring for rebuilding a troubled society in an age of rapid change and turbulence.Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Nwsltr, Dec. 2008, Issue 35

(Beth Breeze, Publications Editor Philanthropy UK Nwsltr ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

"Creatively reframing now-familiar concepts of civil society, third sector, and social capital, Van Til builds a compelling argument for a 'third space,' where individuals and organizations come together to reflect and act to create the community and society they need." --Susan Ostrander, Tufts University

"Van Til's book is a valuable and refreshing contribution to the increasingly important question of how, and in what ways, the non-market, non-governmental associations of civil society contribute to social goods and goals." --Mark Warren, Georgetown University --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253337151
• ISBN-13: 978-0253337153
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,745,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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