Simon Cottin-Marx
Sociologie du monde associatif
(Sociology of Associations) Paris, La Découverte, 2019, 128 p.
Since Alexis de Tocqueville, social sciences have studied associations as "schools of democracy," places of engagement and participation in civic life. Over the past twenty years, researchers have enriched these reflections by approaching the world of associations as a specific economic actor and a true world of work.
This book presents the main works in the sociology of associations and provides an insight into a profoundly diverse universe. How can we compare small volunteer associations with giants worth several million euros and employing thousands of people? What do environmental associations have in common with those in the health and social sector?
To answer these questions, this book explores the history of associations and then offers an overview of the French associative world. It then provides a summary of the main works dealing with volunteering and the changing relationship between "1901 law" structures and public authorities. Finally, it analyzes the specific nature of associative work.