Civil Society

"It is hard to find a book on civil society which is very optimistic and at the same time discusses the consequences of too much dependence on it to solve our problems... I strongly recommendthe book to scholars, practitioners and policy makers interested in understanding the importance of collective actions and the diversity of conceptualizations of civil society"
Community Development Journal

The idea of civil society is not getting as much attention as it did a decade ago, but Michael Edwards makes a powerful case for why it should and what it has to offer people not only in the West, but throughout the world. A must-read for any student of the subject.
Leslie Lenkowsky, Indiana University

Now in its third edition, Michael Edwards' book is still the best survey of the potential contributions of civil society to better societies and governments. Edwards combines optimism with a realism based in close attention to the many changing ways people combine their energies, skills, and intelligence for collective purposes. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the relationships between civil society, social change, and democracy.
Mark E. Warren, University of British Columbia