Virtuous Circles: Antipodean Reflections on Power, Institutions, and Civil Society
Virtuous Circles: Antipodean Reflections on Power, Institutions, and Civil Society

Summary/Abstract: Many of the urgent questions that vie for attention in the postcommunist world have to do with real and ideal relationships between power, institutions, and civil society. Where does power actually lie? Where should it lie? How might it best be channeled, directed and restrained? What sorts of institutions exist, and what do they do? What sorts should exist, and what should they do? If there are gaps between the former and the latter, how, if at all, could they be bridged? What is civil society? Is it attainable? Is there any reason to wish for it, now that the movements in its name have faded into history-their missions accomplished, their prestige somewhat dimmed, their ultimate aftermath still uncertain and problematic? What can be said of the interrelationships between these different phenomena and these questions ? What accounts for what exists? What might prevent or assist efforts at reform ? Whatever it is that one values, how might it be encouraged? Can it be achieved? [...]

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