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Discusses whether contemporary feminism needs a concept of civil society. It is argued that feminism's pluralist nature is more appropriate for civil society than the family or state; in addition, feminism is more receptive toward social & political transformations. Voluntary associations offer women greater opportunities of political participation than states; moreover, civil society is preferred because the radical sociopolitical changes advocated by feminists are less suitable for conservative states. Nevertheless, several problems with civil society for women are identified: civil society tends to subordinate & exclude women; associations permit more intense discriminatory practices; & civil society is frequently cited to support criticism of the welfare system. Noting that some feminists also view the state as a facilitator of gender justice, it is claimed that feminism paradoxically promotes, yet reprimands, civil society. The need for the redistribution of traditional gender roles in the feminist conception of civil society is articulated. J. W. Parker

The European Union (EU) has clearly made a difference for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). EU officials and European political entrepreneurs have been crucial in the promotion of funding and access opportunities, but they have been proven to have little capacity to create CSOs from scratch or to use CSOs too bluntly for their own purposes. This book brings Europeanization studies closer to society by providing a sociologically-informed analysis, which challenges current assumptions and highlights neglected areas of study. It also addresses many of the methodological challenges in the empirical study of the Europeanization of interest groups, including a comparative analysis over a long time period. The book provides a comparison across three countries, France, UK and Spain, and two policy sectors, international solidarity and social CSOs

An exploration of reasons for the recent popular revival of the expression "civil society." The main idea associated with civil society is that of a plurality of social institutions, capable of opposing both the political monopoly of an overcentralized state, & the ideological monopoly of the doctrine in terms of which that state legitimated itself: in brief, it is a reaction to the Marxist organization of society that prevailed in the USSR for seventy years & in Eastern Europe for forty. It is pointed out, however, that the modern supporters of a reborn civil society would not be satisfied with just any social pluralism, eg, that of a tribal segmentary society. The conditions needed to endow this ideal with its current appeal are defined, & the social preconditions of satisfying those conditions discussed. 2 Photographs, 1 Reference. Modified AA