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The Culture of Democracy

A Sociological Approach to Civil Society
By Bin Xu
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Culture of Democracy explores the vital role of civil societies in addressing global challenges through the lens of cultural sociology. It examines the "culture of democracy"—a set of normative values, individual understandings, and social behaviours that shape democratic engagement, such as civility, independence, and solidarity. This work offers a global perspective on how these cultural aspects influence civic participation and political processes, portraying cultural sociology as an "art of listening" that deeply values people's ideas and opinions.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for scholars, students, and readers interested in politics, cultural sociology, and global civil society. It particularly suits those keen to understand democratic culture and its role in contemporary political and social dynamics.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Against the bleak backdrop of pressing issues in today’s world, civil societies remain vibrant, animated by people’s belief that they should and can solve such issues and build a better society. Their imagination of a good society, their understanding of their engagement, and the ways they choose to act constitute the cultural aspect of civil society.

Central to this cultural aspect of civil society is the “culture of democracy,” including normative values, individual interpretations, and interaction norms pertaining to features of a democratic society, such as civility, independence, and solidarity. The culture of democracy varies in different contexts and faces challenges, but it shapes civic actions, alters political and social processes, and thus is the soul of modern civil societies.

The Culture of Democracy provides the first systematic survey of the cultural sociology of civil society and offers a committed global perspective. It shows that, as everyone is eager to have their voice heard, cultural sociology can serve as an “art of listening,” a thoroughly empirical approach that takes ideas, meanings, and opinions seriously, for people to contemplate significant theoretical and public issues.

Series: Cultural Sociology

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  • The Culture of Democracy
    Against the bleak backdrop of pressing issues in today’s world, civil societies remain vibrant, animated by people’s belief that they should and can solve such issues and build a better society. Their imagination of a good society, their understanding of their engagement, and the ways they choose to act constitute the cultural aspect of civil society. Central to this cultural...
    By Bin Xu
    Paperback
    $4099
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • Culture in Networks
    Today, interest in networks is growing by leaps and bounds, in both scientific discourse and popular culture. Networks are thought to be everywhere – from the architecture of our brains to global transportation systems. And networks are especially ubiquitous in the social world: they provide us with social support, account for the emergence of new trends and markets, and foster...
    Hardback
    $11999
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    Ships in 3-4 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised as a subtle, clear, and analytically rigorous work, the book offers a fresh perspective beyond Western viewpoints. It is recognised for its theoretical depth and empirical breadth, effectively illustrating why cultural sociology is essential to understanding democracy and its challenges. Endorsed by leading scholars from Yale and Brown Universities, it is noted as an essential read for students and anyone seeking to comprehend cultural influences on civil society.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509543991

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 August 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 147.0mm

Height: 208.0mm

Weight: 295g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Bin Xu is Associate Professor of Sociology at Emory University

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