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In this episode, host Mickey Desai speaks with Steve Dubb, the senior editor of economic justice for Nonprofit Quarterly. They discuss the concept of civil society, its historical origins, and the unique role that nonprofits play in fostering civic engagement and community-driven problem-solving.
Key topics covered include:
- Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations on the vibrant civil society in early America compared to more statist systems in Europe
- The definition of civil society as the space between the family and the state where social meaning is contested and constructed
- How the weakening of labor unions and the rise of McCarthyism impacted the strength of civil society in the U.S.
- The ways nonprofits can serve as "third spaces" for community members to come together as equals and address local issues
- The challenges nonprofits face in balancing community responsiveness with the need to raise funds from wealthier donors
- The potential for cooperatives and other member-owned organizations to embody the spirit of civil society
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