Civil Society in Europe Minimum Norms and Optimum Conditions of its Regulation [Hardcover]

This book explores how civil society organisations are, and might best be, regulated in Europe, at both the regional and domestic level.This book investigates the approaches to civil society regulation taken at the European Union level, as well as in the domestic regimes of twelve member states. From this emerge the minimum norms and optimal conditions under which civil society organisations can thrive.This book investigates the approaches to civil society regulation taken at the European Union level, as well as in the domestic regimes of twelve member states. From this emerge the minimum norms and optimal conditions under which civil society organisations can thrive.The regulation of civil society provides the framework under which those organisations can most effectively provide services in education, health, social services, housing, development aid and so on. Civil Society in Europe identifies common principles of civil society law in two ways. First, the approaches of the Council of Europe and the European Union are explored. Next, civil society regulation in twelve domestic legal systems are investigated on a broad range of substantive areas of law including internal organisation, registration, external supervision, public benefit organisations and international activities. From these, the authors distill a set of minimum norms and optimal conditions under which civil society can deliver its aims most effectively. This book is essential reading for policymakers and legislators across Europe and beyond.Part I. European Law and Policy Pertaining to Civil Society: 1. Introduction Tymen J. van der Ploeg, Wino J. M. van Veen and Cornelia R. M. Versteegh; 2. Civil society in Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights Wino J. M. van Veen; 3. Civil society and civil society organisations in the institutional and legal framework of the European Union Cornelia R. M. Versteegh; Part II. National Laws Pertaining to Civil Society: A Comparative Overview and Evaluatló$