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Whither the Third Sector? A Response to Estelle James

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2026

Alan Fowler
Alan Fowler*
Affiliation:
International NGO Training and Research Centre
*
2Correspondence should be directed to Alan Fowler, c/o P.O. Box 1261, Addis Adaba, Ethiopia; e-mail: ALANFOWLER@compusetve.com.
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Abstract

Nonprofit research and resulting theory have evolved in a limited context of North American and West European historical experience, culture, and political economy. Recognizing this fact, Estelle James proposes, among other things, a widening of the research arena. This response to her proposals argues that existing studies of nonprofits involved in international development already provide significant comparative evidence that can enrich existing theory. This body of work suggests complementary and alternative research priorities.

Résumé

Résumé

La recherche sur le secteur sans but lucratif et les théories qui en découlent ont évolué dans un contexte qui se restreint à l’expérience historique, à la culture et à la politique économique de l’Amérique du Nord et de l’Europe de l’Ouest. Partant de ce constat, Estelle James propose entre autres d’élargir le champ de recherche. En réponse à ses propositions, nous démontrons que les études existantes sur le secteur sans but lucratif dans les pays en développement fournissent déjà des données empiriques suffisantes pour enrichir les théories existantes. L’essentiel de notre travail est de suggérer et de décrire des priorités de recherches complémentaires et alternatives.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Die Erforschung des Nonprofitsektors und die daraus resultierende Theorie ist im begrenzten Kontext nordamerikanischer und westeuropäischer historischer Erfahrung, Kultur und politischer Ökonomie entstanden. Diese Tatsache anerkennend, schlägt Estelle Jones u.a. die Erweiterung des Forschungsbereichs vor. Die vorliegende Erwiderung auf ihre Vorschläge geht davon aus, daß existierende Studien des Nonprofitsektors im Bereich internationaler Entwicklung bereits aussagekräftiges Vergleichsmaterial enthalten, die die existierende Theorie bereichern können. Diese Arbeit schlägt komplementäre und alternative Forschungsprioritäten vor, die im folgenden beschrieben werden.

Resumen

Resumen

La investigación del sector sin fines de lucro y la teoría resultante han ido evolucionando dentro de un contexto limitado de la experiencia histórica, la cultura y la economía política de Norteamérica y Europa Occidental. Reconociendo este hecho, Estelle James propone, entre otras cosas, ampliar el área de investigación. Esta respuesta a sus propuestas sostiene que los estudios existentes sobre las organizaciones sin fines de lucro, involucradas en el desarrollo internacional, ya proporcionan de forma significativa datos comparativos que pueden enriquecer la teoría existente. Este trabajo recomienda y describe prioridades de investigación alternativas y complementarias.

Keywords

comparative research on development NGDOscivil societyinternational developmentnonprofit theory

Information

Type
Reply
Information
Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , September 1998, pp. 201 - 211
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 International Society for Third-Sector Research and The Johns Hopkins University

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