Civil Society, Democracy and Democratization (Warsaw Studies in Philosophy and Social Sciences book 6)

The book contributes to the ongoing discussion and research on civil society in the context of democracy and democratization. It provides a theoretical analysis of civil society, participation, the public sphere and democratic consolidation in light of normative democratic theory and the challenges of democratic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe. It also offers a novel approach to some of the key issues in that debate including corruption and democratic consolidation, active citizenship, civic unity and the rule of law as well as theories of democratization. Finally, it asks the question as to whether a properly functioning democracy must be complemented with civil society and the numerous roles it plays in a political community of free citizens. Cover Contents Introduction Part I: Civil Society and Democracy 1. Civil Society As a Normative Concept 2. Anti-communist Opposition and Civil Society 3. Democracy, Democratization and the Importance of Civil Society Part II: Democratic Theory and Participation 4. Normative Democratic Theories: Concepts and Questions 5. Deliberative Democracy and Citizenship 6. The Public Sphere and Democratic Participation Part III: Challenges of Post-communist Democratization and Civil Society 7. Corruption and Democratization 8. Weak Civic Participation and Democratic Consolidation 9. Habituation to Democracy in a Divided Society Bibliography Index The book is a contribution to the ongoing discussion and research on civil society in the context of normative democratic theory and democratization in East-Central Europe. It offers a novel approach to some of the key issues in that debate including corruption and democratic consolidation, active citizenship, civic unity and the rule of law.