Abstract

VIEGAS, José Manuel Leite. The democratic implications of voluntary associations: the Portuguese case from a comparative European perspective. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas [online]. 2004, n.46, pp.33-50. ISSN 0873-6529.

Although the democratic virtues of the phenomenon of associations have long been emphasized by different authors, extensive empirical analyses have not, unequivocally, revealed these effects. Against this background, the present text is developed in two directions. Reflecting Warren’s proposal in the first, the author distinguishes: a) the democratic effects of associations; and b) the associations themselves, according to their characteristics. By crossing these two aspects it will be possible to ascertain what a particular "type" of association contributes to democracy.

Keywords : Associations; citizenship; social participation.

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