Nonprofit Organizations and Civil Society in the United States

Book excerpt: Nonprofit Organizations and Civil Society in the United States provides a basic introduction to the U.S. nonprofit and civil society sector and examines the social, political, and economic impact of these organizations in America. The book is divided into four parts. First, it examines the legal foundations, history and evolution of the U.S. nonprofit sector, along with theories that explain the existence of a nonprofit sector. Next, it explores the impact that nonprofits have on American social life through the creation of social capital, providing opportunities to associate, creating outlets for the expression of group interests, and promoting a civil society. The book then takes up an exploration of the roles that nonprofits play in the American political landscape. Finally, the authors examine nonprofits' economic impacts both in terms of their share of the U.S. labor force, as well as nonprofit production of goods and services that are sold in the American marketplace.