Discover the profound exploration of democratic life in The Civil Sphere, a compelling and academically acclaimed book that delves into the unique fabric of Nordic societies. This groundbreaking volume delves into the concept of the civil sphere, a crucial element in modern democratic fields, helping to connect cultural aspirations with social structures. It examines the harmonious yet complex boundaries between various spheres of social life, including the economy, family, religion, and state, highlighting the solidarity that underpins the civil sphere. With 368 insightful pages, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding how Nordic societies embody social democracy through their cultural foundations rather than purely material or organizational factors. It shines a light on the significance of civil sensibilities in establishing an egalitarian and democratic state, while also addressing the challenges of diversity and inclusivity in civil spheres. Written by a leading expert in the field and published by John Wiley & Sons in 2019, The Civil Sphere not only enriches the theoretical landscape of Nordic social democracy but also invites readers to reflect on their own societal constructs. This essential text underscores the notion that even thriving democracies like those in Nordic countries grapple with the tensions of identity, ethnicity, and gender equality. Whether you're a student, educator, or social scientist, this book is pivotal in understanding the contemporary civil sphere and its implications for social democracy.

Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781509538843
Year: 2019
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (UK)
Pages: 368


Description:
The civil sphere is a distinctively democratic field in modern societies, one that sustains universalizing cultural aspirations and organizational structures and that has tense and uncertain boundaries with other spheres of social life, like the economy, religion, family, and state Unlike the latter, which are more particularistic and hierarchical in character, the civil sphere defines itself in terms of solidarity “ the feeling of being connected with every other person in the collectivity The utopian ideals of democratic solidarity shape every modern society, even if they are often compromised by the messy realities of social life.      This volume uses the theory of the civil sphere to shed new light on Nordic societies, while at the same time drawing on the distinctive experiences of the Nordic nations to reflect on and advance the theory of the civil sphere Nordic societies have long been admired for creating a distinctive form of social democracy, but this admirable achievement has not been well conceptualized theoretically Most attempts to explain Nordic social democracy focus on material and organizational factors This volume, by contrast, emphasizes the cultural foundations and characteristics of social democracy, demonstrating how civil sensibilities are necessary for the creation of an egalitarian and democratic state Nordic civil spheres, however, are not only pro-civil but also white in color, European in ethnicity, secular in character and gender-equal in a subtly restrictive manner Such primordialization of state civility is vividly on display in the sometime tense relationships that devel