englischThis study explores how Chinese foundations interact with grassroots social organisations (SO) and why Chinese foundations act the way they do. In addition to involving well-documented empirical investigations in China, the study was conducted using anecdotal evidence accumulated over a [...]

englischCivil society organisations (CSOs) in Nicaragua: challenging or maintaining the status quo? This book explores the challenges, functions and potential of CSOs in the "hybrid" regime of Nicaragua, which is characterised by the coexistence of formal democratic structures and autocratic [...]

englischThe relationship among public administration, citizens and organized civil society crystallizes at the local level. Local administrations experience changes as forerunners since administrative reforms are implemented here first. Consequently, the local level demands constantly for social and [...]

englischAlong with the economical globalisation and its societal challenges towards the end of the 20th century, discussions about “global health” have emerged. Its exact definition remains woolly; however it is became clear that the European Union (EU) strives for an active role within global [...]

englischThe investigation at hand puts a sociological civility concept on the landscape of third sector and civil society research to address a crucial question. In its most simplified wording: does voluntary engagement actually indicate civil attitudes? In theoretical terms the attitudinal [...]

englischToday, Germany and the Netherlands are two “most similar cases” and yet they took rather different routes towards modernity. While The Netherlands represent a textbook-example of a modern society that early in the country’s history turned to pragmatism, Germany looks back upon a legacy of [...]

englischThe book’s approach to governance underscores the need to a broader look at governance beyond networks and network governance. The focus on ambiguities which are consubstantial to governance raises the question of how those ambiguities are handled and resolved through the [...]

englischScandinavian societies have been noted for the combination of political stability and extensive social progress. During the 20th century, influential popular movements constituted a crucial factor in this equation. The benevolent welfare states of the North have been backed by active civil [...]

englischThe volume presents the main outcomes concerning social rights, active citizenship and governance in the European Union as presented at the final conference of the CINEFOGO Network of Excellence (Brussels, March 2009). The classic social question that has faced modern nation states since the [...]

englischEuropean social movement organisations (ESMOs) are often considered as ideal mediators between the European political decision making and the European citizens. In this way these organisations can possibly contribute to the legitimization of European policy decisions. Critics do however [...]