ABSTRACT
This volume subjects voluntary associations to careful scrutiny through an analysis of activities, functions, resources, internal structure, etc. However, before such an investigation can be undertaken it is crucial to recognize that the associational universe is not hermetically sealed. It is located in a specific cultural, economic, social and political context that has a significant impact on its shape, structure and modus operandi. Accordingly, the raison d’être of this chapter is two-fold. First, to explain the research design (and present some basic empirical evidence). In this regard three main questions are addressed: why choose organizations as the basic unit of analysis?; why organizations from these six European cities?; and to what extent does this research design represent a (scientific) advance on previous studies of associations? Second, the chapter places the associational universes in their local contexts identifying the main characteristics that are likely to have the greatest impact on the operation of the associational universe. The intention is not to provide a comprehensive description of all six cities, but simply to focus on key comparative aspects (e.g. democratic experiences/development; welfare state etc., see below).
