Civil Society in an Age of Uncertainty: Institutions, Governance and Existential Challenges

This book explores how the uncertainties of the 21st century present existential challenges to civil society. These include changing modes of governance (through devolution and Brexit), austerity, migration, growing digital divides, issues of (mis)trust and democratic confidence, welfare delivery and the COVID-19 pandemic and the contemporary threat to minority languages and cultures. Presenting original empirical findings, this book brings together core strands of social theory to provide a new way of understanding existential challenges to the form and function of civil society. It highlights pressing social issues and transferable lessons that will inform policy and practice in today’s age of uncertainty.

Paul Chaney is Professor of Politics and Policy at Cardiff University and Co-Director of the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD). Ian Rees Jones is Professor of Sociological Research at Cardiff University and Director of the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD).