The concept of civil society is recognized as being of central importance in the study of political systems, regeneration, and communities. To what extent across Europe are the ideas and practice of community development similar? Community Development and Civil Society explores this question with special reference to the UK and Hungary and shows how community development connects powerfully with civil society, a concept that today has global significance. Written by experts who have many years of experience in community development research, the book contributes to the updating of how 'community' is defined, and it addresses key questions about democratic values in the context of communities.