Over the course of the last decade the concept of civil society has come to occupy a place at the heart of public policy. However, civil society is never a neutral concept. What 'civil society' means, as well as what it can and should do, are matters of much debate. This book provides a critical evaluation of some of the main themes and points of contention in debates on civil society, past and present. The contributors explore the relevance of the concept of civil society for thinking about the relationship between state and citizen, the significance of market values within contemporary societies and their impact upon individuals, and about how societies voluntarily organize themselves beyond the state. Written in a lively and accessible style by researchers from a range of disciplines, the book examines dimensions of civil society in contemporary Wales. Reflection on the consequences of devolution for civil society in Wales informs a good deal of the discussion throughout the book. In doing so the contributors draw on recent and new empirical research on Wales, as well as on wider political and social theories of civil society. Topics covered include religion and civil society, the voluntary sector, the media, nationalism, community regeneration, young people and citizenship and ethnic minorities.
