Rund 600.000 Vereine sind gegenwartig als gemeinnutzige Organisationen des Dritten Sektors in den Vereinsregistern eingetragen; jahrlich kommen ca. 15.000 neu hinzu. Vereine sind Ausdruck von Selbstorganisation und Gemeinsinn. Dieser Band vermittelt ein facettenreiches Bild der Vereine als politische, soziale und auch wirtschaftliche Akteure.

Modernizing Democracy brings together scholars focusing the role of associations and associating in contemporary societies. Organizations and associations have been identified as the "meso level of society" and as the "basic elements of democracy." They are important providers of welfare services and play an important role between the individual and political spheres. In recent years the environment of associations and associating has changed dramatically. Individualization, commercialization and globalization are challenging both democracy and the capability of associations to fulfill the...

Modernizing Democracy brings together scholars focusing the role of associations and associating in contemporary societies. Organizations and associations have been identified as the "meso level of society" and as the "basic elements of democracy." They are important providers of welfare services and play an important role between the individual and political spheres. In recent years the environment of associations and associating has changed dramatically. Individualization, commercialization and globalization are challenging both democracy and the capability of associations to fulfill the...