"Debates over redistribution, social welfare, and market regulation are central to American politics. Why do some of us prefer a large role for government in the economic life of the nation while others prefer a smaller role? In Open Versus Closed, the authors argue that these preferences are...

The Reagan and Bush years left us with a troublesome dilemma: how to balance our budget deficit against our social deficit. This book takes up the urgent question of how, in a time of budgetary stringency, we can meet the pent-up demand for spending on our nation's neglected poor, ill, and...

Introduction / Wilson Carey McWilliams -- Macroscopic action : on Amitai Etzioni's contribution to social theory / Hans Joas -- The cultural dimensions of The active society / Edward W. Lehman -- The cybernetic institutionalist / Fabio Rojas -- The constitution of activity : Etzioni's foundation...