Faith-Based Organizations and Social Welfare

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxvi

   PDF

2. “Use Words Only If Necessary”: The Strategic Silence of Organized Religion in Contemporary Europe

   • Paul Christopher Manuel, Miguel Glatzer

   Pages 1-18

3. Countries with a Dominant Religious Society

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 19-19

      PDF

   2. The Entanglement and Disentanglement of Church and State in Irish Social Policy

      • Michele Dillon

      Pages 21-45

   3. Religiously Oriented Welfare Organizations in Italy Before and After the Great Recession: Toward a More Relevant Role in the Provision of Social Services?

      • Ugo Ascoli, Marco Arlotti

      Pages 47-74

   4. Muted Vibrancy and the Invisible Politics of Religion: Catholic Third Sector, Economic Crisis, and Territorial Welfare in Spain

      • Xabier Itçaina

      Pages 75-102

   5. The State, Religious Institutions, and Welfare Delivery: The Case of Portugal

      • Paul Christopher Manuel, Miguel Glatzer

      Pages 103-133

   6. Church–State Relations in Today’s Crisis-Beset Greece: A Delicate Balance Within a Frantic Society

      • Periklis Polyzoidis

      Pages 135-157

4. Countries with Competing Religious Societies and with a Formerly Dominant Church

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 159-159

      PDF

   2. Combining Secular Public Space and Growing Diversity? Interactions Between Religious Organizations as Welfare Providers and the Public in Sweden

      • Annette Leis-Peters

      Pages 161-184

   3. Social Capital and Religion in the United Kingdom

      • Steven Kettell

      Pages 185-203

   4. Faith-Based Organizations Under Double-Pressure: The Impact of Market Liberalization and Secularization on Caritas and Diakonie in Germany

      • Josef Hien

      Pages 205-227

5. Back Matter

   Pages 229-232

   PDF

This volume examines the role and function of religious-based organizations in strengthening associational life in a representative sample of West European countries: newly democratized and long-established democracies, societies with and without a dominant religious tradition, and welfare states with different levels and types of state-provided social services. It asks how faith-based organizations, in a time of economic crisis, and with declining numbers of adherents, might contribute to the deepening of democracy. Throughout, the volume invites social scientists to consider the on-going role of faith-based organizations in Western European civil society, and investigates whether the concept of muted vibrancy aids our theoretical understanding.

• welfare
• secularization
• religious societies
• muted vibrancy
• social capital
• interest associations
• poor
• marginalized
• inequality
• democracy

“Raising the core question, ‘what would happen to welfare services in Europe if faith-based organizations ceased to exist,’ this book provides insight on a new approach to theoretical understanding of faith-based organizations in contemporary European society, grounded on empirical solid information. Given the long-term tension between religious and secular, the historical churches – both Catholic and Protestant – have sought to compensate for their weakening in church membership and attendance and their normative influence on ethical life issues, by developing new forms of societal engagement in line with the principles of the social doctrine of the churches and, to that extent, introducing new types of solidarity.” (Helena Vilaça, Professor of Sociology, University of Porto, Portugal)

“This is a wonderfully illuminating book presenting a novel incisive assessment of the role played by religious-based organizations in deeply secularized Western Europe. By covering a representative selection of country cases, the volume addresses salient issues, such as their contribution to associational life, to the enrichment of the public debate and, therefore, to the advancement of democracy. Further, the analysis focuses on the activities deployed on behalf of the poor and the socially excluded, alleviating the long-lasting burden on welfare states generated by the crisis, intense immigration flows and deepening of inequalities. A must read for both comparative welfare scholars and students and policy-makers.”  (Ana M. Guillén, Professor of Sociology, University of Oviedo, Spain)

“Understudied for too long, the relationship between religion and social policy is a key issue this volume tackles by providing detailed analysis of the social welfare involvement of faith-based organizations in eight Western European countries. This excellent volume suggests that,despite secularization, these organizations remain deeply involved in social provision, an area in which they exhibit ‘muted vibrancy.’ The volume is must read for scholars interested in the role of faith-based organizations in social policy.” (Daniel Béland, Canada Research Chair and Professor in Public Policy, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, Canada)   

“This timely book makes a distinctive contribution to the growing literature on welfare and religion in Europe.  Drawing from political science perspectives, it is theoretically innovative and empirically rich.  In depth case studies bring to life the following paradox:  the growing presence of the churches in the delivery of welfare in an increasingly secular Europe.  I recommend it warmly.” (Grace Davie, Professor of Sociology, University of Exeter, UK)

“The book is a fundamental contribution to social capital and social policy literature as it sheds new light on the influence of faith organizations, critically discussing the idea that secularization and loosing importance of religion are the only phenomena at play. By analysing theoretical issues in eight different case studies the book is a must read for all scholars interested in better understanding the relation between religion, politics and society in 21st century Western Europe.” (Emanuele Ferragina, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Sciences Po, France) 

• Government, American University, Washington, DC, USA

  Paul Christopher Manuel

• Political Science, La Salle University, Philadelphia, DC, USA

  Miguel Glatzer

Paul Christopher Manuel is Distinguished Scholar in Residence and Director of the leadership program at the School of Public Affairs, American University, USA. He is the author or co-author of nine books and numerous scholarly articles, including The Path of American Public Policy: Comparative Perspectives (2014).

Miguel Glatzer is Associate Professor of Political Science at La Salle University, USA, where he directs the program on leadership and global understanding. His publications include Globalization and the Future of the Welfare State (2005, edited with Dietrich Rueschemeyer).

Policies and ethics