العمل الخيري : خلفية نظرية حول المفهوم

Abstract EN

This paper aims at presenting a theoretical background for the concept of charity work due to its significance on the theoretical and practical levels, especially, in light of the concept’s acquisition for new dimensions accompanied with the challenges imposed by the economic and social shifts witnessed by different countries.

The paper is divided into four sections.

The first section deals with different definitions for the concept of charity work.

The second section tackles the development of the concept by focusing on its development through mentioning it in the three heavenly religions.

Also, through the development of the concept theoretically and practically.

Practical development was traced by concentrating on the most prominent western experiences dealt with this concept.

Three experiences are focused on as follows: the English experience, particularly, the poor tax issue.

The French experience, in order to show the experience of national concerns.

The American experience, in order to show the experience of the political employment of charity work by using it as one of the voting tools.

The third section discusses the styles of charity work showing some modern styles like the radical charity work and the innovative charity work.

In view of the importance of businessmen’s social role, the concept development of companies’ social accountability is shown as one of the manifestations of charity work.

At last, the fourth section discusses the role of charity work in achieving economic and social stability.

In conclusion, the paper underscores that charity work currently does several key social tasks in the modern time in light of the challenges which encounter the modern communities.

This happens through the role of charity work in achieving social justice and minimizing, even to some extent, the intensity of variances in communities.

Also, the integrated task (through the role of charitable assistance offered to the neediest groups in minimizing the degree of social exclusion).

Additionally, the economic task (through giving economic opportunities to the neediest groups).

Also, the political task (through the role of social work in achieving the political stability and mini- mizing the intensity of political problems in different communities .

Any political system, whatever its nature, cannot still be there without the presence of a minimum of social justice criteria which assure achieving an important degree of political stability and legitimacy for this political system whereas social work prevents the spread of violence and crime in different communities because of its role in absorbing the wrath of the marginalized and poorest groups.