Author Description

This book explores the quest for community at the turn of the century. It examines why the idea of civil society has become so popular and why so much hope has been invested in the voluntary sector. It also underscores the importance of a vital civil society and disputes the notion that our yearning for a reinvigorated civic life is a form of nostalgia. E. J. Dionne, Jr. puts the debate in perspective and outlines some of the arguments emanating from Right, Left, and Center about what to make of these important mediating community structures. With chapters by renowned scholars, journalists, and policymakers, this book contemplates where successful civic action originates and considers the role played by faith-based organizations in the battle against poverty and neighborhood decline.