Why this book?

The idea for this book emerged as the four of us sat in the sunshine, sharing reflections, during breaks between sessions at the International Society for Third Sector Research's conference in Siena, Italy, in 2012. The third sector was facing many challenges in the context of neoliberal globalisation, challenges with major significance in relation to our shared interests in the promotion of democratic participation, equalities and social justice. Was globalisation opening up new spaces for active citizenship, locally, nationally and/or internationally? Or was the third sector becoming increasingly incorporated into neoliberal agendas? How far could the third sector's own claims for its contributions be justified by the evidence? What about the ‘dark side’ to the third sector and to wider social movements, the side that excludes outsiders and practises discriminatory approaches to active citizenship? And in what ways might the third sector be reinventing itself, more generally, in response to changing circumstances?

Between us, we began to share reflections from our own empirical research, comparing and contrasting experiences from a wide variety of contexts, across continents. We started to identify the theoretical implications, taking account of differing definitions and varying perspectives. And we began to reflect on the possible ramifications for developing policies and practices to promote active citizenship. While we set out to unpack contested concepts and critically examine the evidence, this did not in any way imply that we had no starting positions ourselves. Far from being totally neutral, we share common commitments to the values of equality, social solidarity, human rights and social justice, together with respect for diversity and differences within and between communities. These shared commitments have underpinned our approach to the third sector and active citizenship.

This has not meant, though, that we have been in total agreement. Given our own particular backgrounds, from different continents, and given our varying theoretical approaches and experiences, as researchers and activists, it would have been somewhat surprising if we had found ourselves in unanimous agreement about each aspect of every chapter. So how have we managed the process of writing this book together?

Sue Kenny took the lead in developing the proposal in outline. Once this had been agreed we each took responsibility for drafting specific chapters. Sue Kenny produced the first drafts of Chapters Two, Three, Four and Seven. Jenny Onyx produced the first drafts of Chapters Six, Ten and Eleven.