Subjects:

Charities

Contents:

The virtue of charity and its foils, John Gardner

rescuing charity, David Stevens

charity law as a politcal option for the poor, Alison Dunn

self giving in "charity" - the role of the law, Susan R. Moody

charity law and the public/private distinction, Mark Freedland

problems with presbyterians - prolegomena to a theory of voluntary associations and the liberal state, Rob Atkinson

reviewing the register, Charles Mitchell

public benefit versus charity - a Scottish perspective, Patrick J. Ford

foundations of charity law in the new welfare state, Michael Chesterman.

Based on papers given at a conference at King's College, London, in 1998, Foundations of Charity brings together established scholars in the fields of charity law, public law, and trusts law, and internationally recognized writers on social policy and legal philosophy, from England and Wales, Scotland, Australia, Canada and the United States.

The contributors take an iconoclastic approach to the legal definition of charitable status, and provide an in-depth analysis of key concepts in charity law and administration, such as 'public benefit' and 'political activity'. The combination of their different perspectives on 'charity' produces a varied, stimulating, and challenging collection. It should be useful reading for academics, practising lawyers and voluntary sector managers who are looking for a sustained critique of 'charity'.