Community and the ideas associated with it – civil society, social capital, mutuality, networks – are often called upon to address the challenges of contemporary society, from poverty and rising inequality to, most recently, COVID-19, climate change, democratic renewal and the rise of populism.

A key source of theory and practice for those interested in engaging communities in the policy process, the third edition of this authoritative textbook provides the ideal introduction to the development of policy and practice in relation to community over the past sixty years.

Substantially revised and updated to reflect advances in research, theory and practice, this third edition enables readers to combine theoretical discussion of policy with practical national and international case studies. Addressing in particular the challenges, contradictions and dilemmas inherent in ideas of community empowerment, Taylor's indispensable text asks how far communities of place still have relevance in a fast-changing world and how far practices developed over the decades remain relevant to the challenges of the coming years. A pivotal assessment of the place of community in policy and practice today.