Cooperation in Modern Society

This book contains a unique collection of contributions from reputed scholars in the social sciences. In each chapter, field experts analyze a particular example of cooperation in modern society.
Why do so many people volunteer to help others in need in society today? What makes people give up the convenience of driving their car to benefit a better environment? And why are citizens, in general, quite prepared to pay taxes to ensure adequate health care, unemployment and elderly support? These are examples of a more fundamental question addressed in this book: Why do people co-operate for the welfare of their community, state, or organization? This book contains a collection of contributions from internationally reputed scholars in the social sciences. In each of the chapters, field experts analyze a particular example of co-operation in modern society - volunteering, resource management, tax paying and political participation. These analyses are based upon recent theoretical and research developments. Together these contributions present quite an optimistic view of people's ability to solve the problems facing society in the 21st century and beyond. The book should be useful for students of social problems in all social science disciplines and for those professionally involved in solving these issues (policy-analysts and policy-makers).