Civil Society: Between Concepts and Empirical Grounds

This book explores the historical and social trajectories of civil society, focusing on Denmark from 1849 to the present day. It presents a new theoretical framework informed by a relational and processual perspective, shedding new light on familiar questions about civil society, its boundaries, and spaces of action. It will appeal to scholars of sociology, politics, history, and philosophy with interests in civil society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate web of historical and social factors that have shaped the evolution of civil society over time. Through a rigorous examination of empirical data, primarily sourced from Denmark, spanning from 1849 to the present day, the book offers a profound analysis of the practices and transformations that have shaped civil society. By adopting a relational and processual perspective, the book presents a novel theoretical framework that sheds new light on familiar questions related to civil society, the creation of its boundaries and spaces of action, and the mechanisms by which these spaces can become drivers of change. This groundbreaking work will appeal to scholars across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, politics, history, and philosophy, with a keen interest in civil society.

Civil society has evolved over centuries, shaped by a complex interplay of historical, social, economic, and cultural forces. This volume explores the historical and social trajectories involved in the continuous development of civil society, shedding light on the contextual nature of this process. Through a comprehensive examination of empirical data, primarily sourced from Denmark, spanning from 1849 to the present day, the book offers a profound analysis of the practices and transformations that have shaped civil society.

By adopting a relational and processual perspective, the book presents a novel theoretical framework that sheds new light on familiar questions related to civil society, the creation of its boundaries and spaces of action, and the mechanisms by which these spaces can become drivers of change. The book explores the ways in which civil society has been practised and transformed over time, examining the role of institutions, social movements, and individual actors in shaping its development. It also examines the challenges and opportunities that civil society faces in the contemporary world, including issues such as inequality, social exclusion, and climate change.

One of the key contributions of the book is its new theoretical framework, informed by a relational and processual perspective. This framework challenges traditional understandings of civil society as a static entity or as a product of social engineering. Instead, it emphasizes the dynamic and interconnected nature of civil society, recognizing the role of social relationships, power dynamics, and cultural processes in shaping its development. The book also sheds new light on familiar questions pertaining to civil society, such as the production of its boundaries and spaces of action, and the means by which these spaces can become causal factors in shaping social change.

The book will appeal to scholars across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, politics, history, and philosophy, with a keen interest in civil society. It offers a valuable resource for researchers and students seeking to understand the complex dynamics of civil society and its role in shaping the world we live in today.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367635961