REDISCOVERING VOLUNTARY ACTION by Colin Rochester ( 9781137029461 )

Item Details

Title:

REDISCOVERING VOLUNTARY ACTION
THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM

By:

Format:

Electronic book text

List price:	£19.99
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ISBN 10:

1137029463

ISBN 13:

9781137029461

Publisher:

PALGRAVE MACMILLAN

Pub. date:

20 November, 2013

Description:

Volunteering and voluntary organizations have become increasingly important in British social and political life but at a cost. Greater prominence has led to a narrow and distorted view of what voluntary action involves and how it is undertaken. This book reasserts the case for a broader view of voluntarism as a unique set of autonomous activities.

Synopsis:

In recent years, volunteering and voluntary organizations have come to play an increasingly important role in British society. But this recognition has come at the cost of losing sight of the distinctive characteristics of voluntary action and its claims to independence of thought and action. Drawing on 45 years' experience of working in and researching the sector, Colin Rochester shows how conventional wisdom about how voluntary action is understood and undertaken ignores a variety of important activities which have contributed so much to our quality of life and living conditions. He revisits the history of voluntary action; identifies the forces that have created modern misunderstandings and misrepresentations; explores the role of voluntary action and the forms it takes; and argues that the reality of voluntary activity is very different from the picture painted by contemporary researchers and practitioners. In a final chapter Rochester spells out the implications of his vision for research and practice.

Illustrations:

3 figures, 2 black & white tables

Publication:

Imprint:

Palgrave Macmillan

Returns:

Non-returnable

Some other items by this author:

CLOSED DOWN (PB)

INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR