View Research by Author - James O. Gibson

Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/JamesOGibson

The authors discuss the idea of civil society, review differing attitudes about it, and discuss concerns about using it as a tool of public policy. Their principal focus is on civil society and its potential role in the dynamics of poor communities. They review the debates over the roles of state and the individual in fostering public good and discuss the expansion of civil society at the local level. Included are examples of the idea in action, which illustrate emerging efforts that are reshaping ideas and expectations concerning the role of the individual in community improvement.

This report is the product of a series of seminars which examined the historic movements out of which today's community practice is evolving. Drawing on material from the seminars as well as the growing literature describing recent community building efforts, the authors explain what community building is and develop recommendations on how it might best be supported.

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