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New Jersey. I examine them in terms of their organizational characteristics, the role of
local, state, and federal governments in their operations, their activities, governance, and
effectiveness.
Civil Society
Theda Skocpol’s work on the state of civil society in the U. S. and Robert D.
Putnam's observation that social capital has declined in the U. S. are the premier
examples of a renewed scholarly interest in non-state actors in American politics.
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The
central concern is whether or not Americans have opportunities for person-to-person
contact in this increasingly suburban country through membership in civic organizations,
such as Parent Teacher Associations and Rotary Clubs. Such activity was once a
dominant feature in the American social landscape, but, according to Putnam, it is less
likely to occur now.
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Voluntary organizations routinely form to address environmental problems,
especially at the local level. Hazardous waste, brownfield conversions, airport noise
pollution, and commercial development, for example, have all spawned the formation of
local groups to oppose them.
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Whether they contribute to civil society depends on the
nature of membership. If writing a check constitutes membership, then the organization
has supporters or contributors rather than members and does little to add to civil society.
If, on the other hand, these organizations foster person-to-person contact, then they might
be considered to be part of civil society. As such, they add to society’s capacity to deal
with public problems by increasing social capital—a complex network of
organizationally-based connections that may be brought to bear to address common
problems.
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Convention