Theories of associations and volunteering

Abstract

This chapter reviews key theories relevant to the other Handbook chapters and also relevant to potential chapters not included here. Smith’s basic contention is that most voluntaristics scholars (Smith 2013) view relevant theory far too narrowly, seriously limited by (a) academic discipline blinders and also (b) avoidance of topics reflecting social deviance and/or social conflict. As a corrective to such intellectual limitations, we include here brief reviews of theories that deal with (a) and (b). Many more theories of individual participation in volunteering and citizen participation are reviewed in Handbook Chapter 31, as relevant micro-theories.