For the Common Good? American Civic Life and the Golden Age of Fraternity

Rating:
Summary: Original, even radical--and also convincing
Review: This book is a radical reinterpretation of the role of certain types of voluntary associations in American civil society. It first reviews the history of fraternal orders and secret societies in the 19th century and then expands its focus to other, related types of voluntary organization. Overall, I found it a convincing and eye-opening account of the roles of self-interest and organizational competition in the non-profit sector. The author makes some claims about the desirability of non-profits that you may not agree with, but he at least sheds revealing new light on a subject otherwise treated with kid gloves.