The twentieth century has been marked by the expansion of educational opportunities worldwide. It has been the century of education, and the role of the state in the promotion of public education has been decisive. Yet, at the millennium's turn efforts to diminish the role of the state are rapidly changing education, especially in terms of its role in democracy. This comprehensive handbook offers a fresh view of the social context of education, outlining the challenges as well as the advan...

The relationship between the family and civil society has always been complex, with the family often regarded as separate from, or even oppositional to, civil society.Taking a fresh empirical approach, Muddiman, Power and Taylor reveal how such separation underestimates the important role the family plays in civil society. Considering the impact of family events, dinner table debates, intergenerational transmission of virtues and the role of the mother, this enlightening book draws...

Are young people blindly self-interested? How does university shape students’ political participation? Can busy parents and grandparents find time to volunteer?Challenging conventional thinking, leading academics explore how individuals’ relationships with civil society change over time as different lifecourse events and stages trigger and hinder civic engagement.Drawing on personal narratives, longitudinal cohort studies and national surveys, this unprecedented study consi...