Marc Morjé Howard
Encyclopedia
Marc Morjé Howard is a professor
in the Department of Government at Georgetown University
. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley
and did his undergraduate work at Yale University
. He is the author of the book, The Weakness of Civil Society
in Post-Communist Europe. His latest book, The Politics of Citizenship
in Europe, was published in 2009.
. The definition in his first chapter makes clear that civil society is distinct from the state
, the rule of law
, and the market
, but there is still overlap with these arenas.
For Howard, the arena of civil society includes clubs, groups, and associations such as religious organizations, sports clubs, cultural appreciation or expression groups, artistic organizations, environmental groups, recreational clubs, and support groups. The crossover with the political realm exists in organizations like political parties, lobbyist groups, and political action committees. The crossover with the economic arena occurs in the form of labor unions and small business groups.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in the Department of Government at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and did his undergraduate work at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. He is the author of the book, The Weakness of Civil Society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
in Post-Communist Europe. His latest book, The Politics of Citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
in Europe, was published in 2009.
Redefining civil society
Howard's major contribution to the field could be his redefining of civil societyCivil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
. The definition in his first chapter makes clear that civil society is distinct from the state
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
, the rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
, and the market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
, but there is still overlap with these arenas.
For Howard, the arena of civil society includes clubs, groups, and associations such as religious organizations, sports clubs, cultural appreciation or expression groups, artistic organizations, environmental groups, recreational clubs, and support groups. The crossover with the political realm exists in organizations like political parties, lobbyist groups, and political action committees. The crossover with the economic arena occurs in the form of labor unions and small business groups.
Publications
- The Weakness of Civil Society in Post-Communist Europe. Cambridge University Press, 2003.
- World Order After Leninism. University of Washington Press, 2006 (co-edited with Vladimir TismaneanuVladimir TismaneanuVladimir Tismăneanu is a Romanian and American political scientist, political analyst, sociologist, and professor at the University of Maryland, College Park...
and Rudra Sil). - The Politics of Citizenship in Europe. Cambridge University Press, 2009.