ABSTRACT
The quality of contemporary democracy and the threat to its survival are the shared concerns of several leading scholars (Putnam 1995, 2000; Dalton 2004; Stoker 2006a, 2006b; Hay 2007). These academics maintain that civic and political disengagement, declining levels of political trust, confidence and attachment, and growing citizen disenchantment and scepticism (possibly even cynicism) about politics, politicians, political institutions and political processes represent a clear and present danger to democracy. At times the language is dramatic – part poetic licence, but mostly genuine concern – and an important component of the remedy for this pathology is the greater involvement of citizens in voluntary associations. Such involvement is seen as inculcating citizens with pro-democratic values, enhancing their civic and democratic skills and making them better democrats.
