The third sector in a devolved Scotland: From policy to evidence

Scotland's post-devolution government has implemented a number of policies engaging with the third sector. These sit within the UK context of New Labour's welfare reform with its twin emphases on neoliberalism and neo-communitarianism. Moves by the Scottish Executive to translate these themes into the Scottish context are illustrated by policies on the relation between the state and third sector organizations, on the social economy, and on volunteering. However, as a case study of the sector in Glasgow demonstrates, significant challenges emerge for the realization of policy claims for the development of social capital and citizenship in practice.