Community development and civil society: Making connections in the European context

by Paul Henderson, Ilona Vercseg

Overview

To what extent are the ideas and practice of community development across Europe similar? Community Development and Civil Society explores this question with special reference to the UK and Hungary and shows how community development connects powerfully with civil society, a concept that today has global significance. Paul Henderson and Ilona Vercseg argue that community development is both a profession and a social movement and is relevant to a wide range of issues.They interweave case studies with discussion of principles and theory.The book's critical and accessible approach will appeal especially to students and practitioners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781861349699
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	06/30/2010
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Paul Henderson has been involved in community development for over 30 years, most recently with the Community Development Foundation. He has written about community development in both the UK and the rest of Europe. Ilona Vercseg is Honorary President of the Hungarian Association for Community Development, and a UniversityLecturer and Senior Trainer with the Civil College Foundation. She undertakes experimental research and analysis, teaches community development and builds international contacts.

Table of Contents

Foreword Attila Gergely vii

Acknowledgements ix

1 Introduction 1

Origins 2

Readership 5

Structure 7

2 Civil society 11

Introduction 11

Definitions and disagreements 15

Civil society and community 18

Connecting community development and civil society 23

3 Community development 29

Core themes 30

Origins and growth 34

Western Europe 35

Central and eastern Europe 36

North America 40

Southern countries 42

4 Socialisation 45

Community development and community-based learning 46

Local curricula 47

Active citizenship 51

Community schools and community education 53

Eco-schools 54

Community life and democracy 55

Conclusion 57

5 Economic wealth 61

Types of community economic development 63

Central and eastern Europe 65

Case studies 66

Implications for community development 69

Social entrepreneurs 72

Asset-based community development 74

Underlying theories 77

Conclusion 80

6 Social participation 83

Participation and community development 84

Changing language 86

Community development and social capital 87

Hungarian context 88

Social inclusion 93

Conclusion 95

7 Social control 97

Punishment and community 98

Communities and social control 101

Towards a model 107

Social control in the Hungarian context 113

8 Mutual support and solidarity 119

Context 120

Case studies 123

Guiding principles 128

9 The potential of community development 135

A Hungarian perspective 135

A UK perspective 147

Commonalities and differences 155

10 Learning and support 157

Hungary 157

UK 166

A European perspective 170

Conclusion 172

11 Conclusion 175

Contribution of community development to civil society 175

The profession 180

Communities 181

Civil society 183

Future scenarios for community development 184

References 191

Index 201

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"An important resource for those concerned with community development and with strengthening civil societies' independent roles, across Europe, more generally - with detailed case study materials from Britain and Hungary, more particularly. It will be essential reading for policy makers and a wide range of professionals." Marjorie Mayo, Goldsmiths College, University of London

Editorial Reviews

The authors bring a wealth of insight and experience to this analytical and practical exploration. Practicalities of participation, localisation and regional and global challenges provide a context for a deft invitation for community development to renew its vision. Alan Barr, Senior Research Fellow (University of Strathclyde), Scottish Community Development Centre, Glasgow


An important resource for those concerned with community development and with strengthening civil societies' independent roles, across Europe, more generally - with detailed case study materials from Britain and Hungary, more particularly. It will be essential reading for policy makers and a wide range of professionals. Marjorie Mayo, Goldsmiths College, University of London

From the Publisher