The Canadian Non-Profit Sector: Neoliberalism and the Assault on Community - Review
The Canadian Non-profit Sector
Neoliberalism and the Assault on Community
The Canadian Non-Profit Sector: Neoliberalism and the Assault on Community is co-authored by Ted Richmond and John Shields, both of whom bring extensive backgrounds in Canadian community-based research, nonprofit studies, social policy, and advocacy. Richmond and Shields’ purpose in this book is to critically examine how neoliberalism has reshaped the non-profit sector in Canada, arguing that the sector has been forced to take on an increasing burden of social service provision as the state withdraws its support. The opening chapter provides a broad overview of neoliberalism’s impact on the non-profit sector, outlining how market forces have gradually replaced state welfare supports. Subsequent chapters explore the sector’s financial architecture, human resources, and advocacy roles, culminating in a discussion of the future challenges facing the sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Richmond and Shields emphasize the need for a Canadian-focused analysis, filling a critical gap in a field often dominated by U.S. perspectives.
Summary and Claims
The book’s central claim is that neoliberalism has redefined Canadian non-profits’ operational and financial structures and fundamentally reshaped their societal role. The authors examine the dichotomy between precarity and resilience in the sector through a critical political economy lens. They argue that neoliberalism imposes a reactive form of resilience, forcing organizations to merely survive without addressing the underlying structural challenges. This is contrasted by the sector’s progressive resilience, highlighting the sector’s ability to adapt to adversity, while remaining committed to social justice. The shift from program-based to project-based funding in Canada is a prime example, as it undermines the long-term sustainability of nonprofit organizations by favouring short-term, measurable outcomes over enduring social impact.
Richmond and Shields address the issue of data scarcity in the Canadian nonprofit sector, emphasizing the persistent ‘‘data deficit’’ that limits research and policy development due to outdated or insufficient information. They argue that this gap reflects the broader devaluation of the nonprofit sector in public policy discussions. In their analysis, nonprofit organizations have become a ‘‘shadow state,’’ filling the void left by government withdrawal yet struggling with precarious financial and human resources. The authors highlight the growing divide between large well-resourced organizations and smaller, often volunteer-driven ones, a disparity that exacerbates inequalities within the sector and makes it increasingly difficult for smaller organizations to meet rising public service demands. The lack of comprehensive data further complicates efforts to fully understand the nonprofit sector’s evolving role within Canada’s social welfare framework.
Critique
The authors draw from various empirical sources, including major national surveys and government reports, to build their case. However, the book also highlights thelimitations of these data sources, noting that the last comprehensive survey was conducted in 2004, leaving a significant gap in up-to-date information. They integrate interdisciplinary perspectives from political economy, sociology, and public policy to address this data shortfall. This allows them to offer a broad understanding of key initiatives, stakeholders, and the discourses that shape Canada’s nonprofit sector. While, this approach enriches
the narrative, it sometimes sacrifices depth in particular areas, leaving readers wanting more specific examples and detailed analysis. The discussion on the global pandemic’s impact on the sector, for instance, is insightful, but readers are left wondering how the situation has evolved in the four years since the events described. The authors provide useful references for further exploration.
While, the book is a valuable critique of neoliberalism’s impact on Canadian nonprofits, some lingering questions remain. For instance, the title suggests a more scathing critique than the pragmatic approach taken by the authors. Although this may reflect their intent to engage a broad audience, it could leave some readers wanting a deeper dive into the ‘‘assault on community’’ the title promises. The book’s strength is framing the Canadian nonprofit sector within the broader ideological struggle between neoliberalism and social justice. This framing helps crystallize the sector’s tensions, offering readers a conceptual lens through which to view the sector’s future challenges and opportunities.
Relevance of the Book
The Canadian Non-Profit Sector: Neoliberalism and the Assault on Community is an essential read for scholars and practitioners of nonprofit studies, public administration, and social policy. The book’s critical political economy perspective provides a valuable counterpoint to more market-driven or technical approaches to nonprofit governance, making it particularly relevant for readers interested in the intersection of economics, politics, and civil society. For Voluntas readers, the book’s focus on the Canadian nonprofit sector offers a much-needed national perspective in a field often dominated by U.S. and European scholarship. Richmond and Shields’ analysis also speaks to broader global concerns about the role of civil society under neoliberalism, making it relevant for international audiences seeking to understand how these dynamics manifest in different national contexts.
Declarations
Conflict of interest The author declares that they have no conflict of
interest.
Publisher’s Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to
jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
— Michele Fugiel Gartner, Voluntas December 2024