The public sphere in contemporary democracies is occupied by `authorities', `enterprises' (groups pursuing their own interests) and `altruistic associations'. The latter possess an increasingly political dimension despite their frequent claim to be non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or non-political groups. Their increasing weight could change the texture of democracy and the orientation of social policies. The new public-private sphere created by altruistic civic associations is not, however, entirely autonomous. It is dependent on pressures and influences that endanger the benefits that these associations may otherwise bring to society and to the quality of citizen participation.
Arrow, K. (1963) `Uncertainty and the Welfare Economics of Medical Care', American Economic Review53: 941-973.
2.
Brenton, M. (1985) The Voluntary Sector in British Social Service.London: Longman.
3.
Camps, V. and Giner, S. (1992) El interés común.Madrid: Centro de Estudios Constitucionales.
4.
Clotfelter, Ch.T. (1992) Who Benefits from the Nonprofit Sector?Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
5.
Di Palma, G. (1970) Apathy and Participation: Mass Politics in Western Societies.New York: Free Press.
6.
Donati, P. (1993) La cittadinanza societaria.Bari: Laterza.
7.
Drucker, P. (1969) `The Sickness of Government', Public Interest14: 3-23.
8.
Drucker, P. (1989) The New Realities in Government and Politics/in Economic and Business/in Society and World View.New York: Harper & Row.
9.
Galbraith, J.K. (1994) `The Good Society Considered: The Economic Dimension', Journal of Law and Society (Annual Lecture, Cardiff Law School).
10.
Gidron, B. , Kramer, R.M. and Salamon, L.M. (1992) Government and the Third Sector.San Francisco, CA: I.B. Publishers.
11.
Giner, S. (1976) Mass Society.London: Martin Robertson; New York: Academic Press.
12.
Giner, S. (1987) Ensayos civiles.Barcelona: Península.
13.
Hall, P.D. (1992) Inventing the Nonprofit Sector.Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
14.
Hansmann, H. (1987) `Economic Theories of Nonprofit Organizations', in W. Powell (ed.) The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook, pp. 27-42. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
15.
Hatch, S. and Mocroft, I. (1983) Components of Welfare.London: Bedford Square Press.
16.
Hirst, P. (1993) `Associational Democracy', in D. Held (comp.) Prospects for Democracy.Cambridge: Polity Press.
17.
Johnson, N. (1990) `The Mixed Economy of Welfare', in A. Ware and R.E. Goodin (eds) Needs and Welfare, pp. 145-164. London: Sage.
18.
Kramer, R.M. (1981) Voluntary Agencies in the Welfare State.Berkeley: University of California Press.
19.
Kramer, R.M. (1992) `The Roles of Voluntary Social Service Organizations in Four European States', in S. Kuhnle and P. Selle (eds) Government and Voluntary Organizations, pp. 34-52. Aldershot: Avebury.
20.
Kuhnle, S. and Selle, P. (1992) Government and Voluntary Organizations.Aldershot: Avebury.
21.
Olson, M. (1986) Auge y decadencia de las naciones.Barcelona: Ariel.
22.
Pinker, R. (1971) Social Theory and Social Policy.London: Heinemann.
23.
Powell, W. and Friedkin, R. (1987) `Organizational Change in Nonprofit Organizations', in W. Powell (ed.) The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook, pp. 180-194. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
24.
Sarasa, S. (1993) El servicio de lo social.Madrid: Ministerio de Asuntos Sociales (INSERSO).
25.
Sosin, M. (1986) Private Benefits: Material Assistance in the Private Sector.London: Academic Press.
26.
Starr, P. (1989) `The Meaning of Privatization', in S.B. Kamerman and A.J. Kahn (eds) Privatization and the Welfare State.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
27.
Titmuss, R.M. (1968) Commitment to Welfare.London: Allen and Unwin.
28.
Titmuss, R.M. (1971) The Gift Relationship.New York: Pantheon.
29.
Vidal, J. (1995) `Mixed Blessings of Rwandan Aid', Guardian Weekly, 9April, p. 11.
30.
Ware, A. (1990) `Meeting Needs through Voluntary Action: Does Market Society Corrode Altruism?', in A. Ware and R.E. Goodin (eds) Needs and Welfare, pp. 185-207. London: Sage.
31.
Wuthnow, R. (1991) Between States and Markets.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
