Social Capital and Associations in European Democracies

<p>This unique book offers an empirical assessment of how social and political involvement relates to theories of citizenship and democracy providing a detailed comparative assessment of the potential that voluntary organizations offer citizens for social and political participation in several European countries.</p><p>The coherent chapters written by leading European researchers examine the participatory opportunities offered by a wide and diverse variety of voluntary associations and provides a comparative perspective on the role structure and functions of associations in six medium-sized European cities – Aalborg (Denmark) Aberdeen (UK) Bern (Switzerland) Enschede (the Netherlands) Mannheim (Germany) and Sabadell (Spain).</p><p>This book has a companion volume entitled <em>Citizenship and Involvement in European Democracies</em> edited by Jan van Deth José Ramón Montero and Anders Westholm (Routledge 2006). </p><p>Both volumes will be of great interest to students and researchers of European politics comparative politics and sociology.</p>