Rhetorics of welfare : uncertainty, choice, and voluntary associations

In the context of profound social and political change, social scientists have been concerned to understand the transformations of the welfare state and voluntary associations in industrial societies, and how these changes relate to more general political questions about participation and active citizenship. Through a national empirical study of this 'third sector' in Australia, the authors examine the impact of neo-liberal economic policies on the functions, nature and prospects of the non-profit third sector. Their study shows that there are very different responses to change within the non-profit sector, that neo-liberalism has had major consequences for funding, management style and organizational responses, and that the sector is remarkably robust. Their enquiry has general relevance to debates about welfare and citizenship, and is a major contribution to theories of democracy, citizenship and social capital. The research shows that, despite significant disruptions to the sector, voluntary associations can provide community involvement, client focus and avenues for democratic involvements. Where state support has been reduced or withdrawn, community-based voluntary associations can provide relevant welfare services and sustain social capital. There are, however, severe limitations on the universality and breadth of these contributions. This book is a major empirical and theoretical contribution to our understanding of the commercialization and commodification of welfare services in neo-liberal capitalism. It is also a study of the growing tensions between professionalized services in the third sector and associative democracy. The study provides a balanced view of the major organizational and cultural divisions within the non-profit voluntary welfare sector in the context of aspirations for the growth of an associative democracy. Pt. I. Towards A Theory Of Participatory Citizenship -- 1. Contested Rhetorics -- 2. Civil Society And Citizenship -- 3. On The Concept Of Voluntary Association -- Pt. Ii. Analysing Voluntary Associations -- 4. Setting The Boundaries: Established Frameworks Of Operation -- 5. Unsettling The Voluntary Sector: The Emerging Market Framework -- 6. Approaches To The Study Of Voluntary Associations -- 7. Welfare And The Voluntary Sector In Australia -- Pt. Iii. The Search For Active Citizenship -- 8. Activating The Public Sphere And Social Capital -- 9. Facing Uncertainty. Kevin M. Brown, Susan Kenny, Bryan S. Turner With John K. Prince. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 215-227) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Contested Rhetorics....Pages 3-24 Civil Society and Citizenship....Pages 25-49 On the Concept of Voluntary Association....Pages 50-66 Front Matter....Pages 67-67 Setting the Boundaries: Established Frameworks of Operation....Pages 69-94 Unsettling the Voluntary Sector: the Emerging Market Framework....Pages 95-116 Approaches to the Study of Voluntary Associations....Pages 117-130 Welfare and the Voluntary Sector in Australia....Pages 131-183 Front Matter....Pages 185-185 Activating the Public Sphere and Social Capital....Pages 187-200 Facing Uncertainty....Pages 201-214 Back Matter....Pages 215-237 The book explores comparatively the role of non-profit organizations in conditions of social and economic change. The focus of the study is an investigation of the proposition that non-profit organizations provide sites and processes for enhancing active citizenship, invigorating the public sphere and extending political participation. The study explores the economic constraints on voluntary associations and argues that they can function as 'schools of democracy'. This book is the first national study of the third-sector in Australia, but its conclusions have a general relevance to deregulated welfare societies in Europe and North America. A comparison of the role of non-profit organizations in conditions of social and economic change. The focus of the study is an investigation of the proposition that non-profit organizations provide sites and processes for enhancing active citizenship, invigorating the public sphere and extending political participation. The study explores the economic constraints on voluntary associations and argues that they can function as "schools of democracy". This book is the first national study of the third sector in Australia, but its conclusions have a general relevance to deregulated welfare societies in Europe and North America