2011 shook the world politically. The Occupy Movement, Los Indignados and the Greek Aganaktismenoi (outraged) reacted to zombie capitalism in the West, while the Arab Spring challenged political tyrannies in the Maghreb-Mashreq region.Democracy became the meta-question of the moment. New communicative technologies unleashed a tidal wave of civic protest that spread across the globe, bringing new political actors on to the street. But what does this protest movement mean? Are we on the threshold of a transformation in global political consciousness? Is civil society the necessary counter-power that is democratising democracy from within? Or are we living through an apocalyptic terminal phase of civilisation? In the second, revised edition of this indispensable book, the author looks behind the mirror of power and differentiates the real from the fake in policy and politics. It offers an original and compelling history of the present and will have wide appeal to a broad cross-disciplinary audience.

About the Author
Fred Powell is Professor of Social Policy and Dean of Social Science at the University College Cork, National University of Ireland. He has published extensively on civil society, political thought and citizen participation.

Reviews
"A book that will be on the reading lists of political science undergraduates...[and] it should be read by those interested in the development and politics of the welfare state" Journal of Social Policy
"The book explores a great deal of very complex theoretical debate and does so in a very accessible manner......a lively read and a thorough investigation of the contemporary literature." Community Development Journal
"Offers analytic tools to comprehend the economic and political context within which we live and invites us to explore the inherent complexity of civil society activities." Voluntary Sector Review
"Fred Powell has written an original and important book which draws civil society from the margins into the centre of political and social theorising. The Politics of Civil Society will be essential reading for anyone concerned with the strengthening of market power and the erosion of democracy in contemporary society." Professor Peadar Kirby, Emeritus Professor of International Politics and Public Policy, University of Limerick, and UNESCO Chair, University of Valencia
"This is a closely argued and fascinating book, and we are in Fred Powell's debt for updating his treatise." Citizen's Income Trust newsletter 2015



Book Information
ISBN 9781447307150
Author Fred Powell
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Policy Press
Publisher Bristol University Press