Civil Society, Associations and Urban Places: Class, Nation and Culture in Nineteenth-Century Europe

by Graeme Morton, R.J. Morris, B.M.A. de Vries

In recent years the concept of 'civil society' has become central to the historians understanding of class, cultural and political power in the nineteenth century town and city. Increasingly clubs and voluntary societies have been regarded as an important step in the formation of formal political parties, particular for the working and middle classes. The result of this is the assertion that the more associations existing in a particular society, the deeper democracy becomes entrenched.

In order to test this hypothesis, this volumes brings together essays by an international group of urban historians who examines the construction of civil society from associational activity in the urban place. From their studies, it soon becomes clear that such simple propositions do not adequately reflect the dynamics of nineteenth century urban society and politics. Urban associations were ideological in purpose and deliberately discriminatory and as such urban set the boundaries of civil society. Thus competing and segmented associations were not only an indication of pluralism and strength, but also highlighted a fundamental weakness when faced down by the interests of the state.

Through a wide range of urban associations, this volume reflects on the construction of class, nation and culture in the associations of the nineteenth century urban place. In so doing it shows that a deep and interlocking civil society does not automatically lead to a rise in democratic activity. Expansion of the networks of urban association could equally result in greater subdivision and to the fragmentation and isolation of certain groups. Partition as much as coherence is our understanding of civilsociety and associations in the nineteenth century urban place.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2006