The Concept of Civil Society and Its Historical Development

Everybody talks about CS The American writer Jeremy Rifkin calls civil society 'our last, best hope.‘ New Labour politicians in the UK see it as central to a new 'project' that will hold society together against the onrush of globalizing markets The United Nations and the World Bank see it as one of the keys to 'good governance' and poverty-reducing growth. Chinese semi-official magazine: 'the role of NGOs in the twenty-first century will be as significant as the role of the nation state in the twentieth century.'

So Civil society could mean anything? BUT “an idea that means everything probably means nothing.” It can go beyond being a slogan!

What is CS then? Fine (1997): identifies civil society theory as “a loosely defined and diverse set of approaches” (p.9).

Historical Development of Civil Society Classical Thought Late Medieval Thought Between 1750 and 1850 Hume and Adam Smith Criticism: Hegel Starting with mid 19th century Karl Marx and Antonio Gramsci

Historical Development of Civil Society Later Jeffrey Alexander “solidary sphere in which a certain kind of universalizing community comes gradually to be defined and to some degree reinforced.” “To the degree this solidary community exists, it is exhibited by public opinion, possess its own cultural codes and narratives in a democratic idiom is patterned by a set of peculiar institutions, most notably legal and journalistic practices like civility, equality, criticism, and respect.”

The Rise of Civil Society after the World War II Failures of the state and market economy Political changes Worldwide moves toward privatization and declining role of the state

Different Classifications of CS Sztompka sociological concept: refers to “the totality of social institutions and associations, both formal and informal, that are not strictly production oriented nor governmental or familial in character” cultural concept: refers to the domain of cultural values, norms, and manners, implicit understanding, frames and codes shared by the members of society, constraining (or facilitating) what they actually think or do economic concept: refers to the economic relationships and activities

Different Classifications of CS Perez-Diaz Generalists: refer to SC as the ideal type of society: (the rule of law, limited and accountable public authority, social pluralism, and a public sphere) SC as a collection of non-governmental components (economic markets, associations, and the public sphere) Minimalists: refer to CS non-governmental components except the state and the economy

Different Classifications of CS Michael Edwards (Author of the article) civil society as associational life   civil society as a good society (characterized by positive norms and values as well as success in meeting particular social goals) civil society as the public sphere

Definitions of CS? John Keane: 'civil society is an ideal-typical category . . . that … describes …a complex and dynamic ensemble of legally-protected non-governmental institutions that tend to be non-violent, self-organizing….and permanently in tension with each other and with the state institutions that frame, construct and enable their activities'.

Definitions of CS? Diamond: “Civil society is the realm of organized social life that is open, voluntary, self-generating, at least partially self- supporting, autonomous from the state, and bound by a legal order or set of shared rules.”

CS CS is different from political society, economic society, and some other groups such as inward-looking groups

Civil society includes various organizations Economic Cultural Civic Interests Developmental Issue-oriented Informational and educational

Different roles of civil society Political Role Social Role Economic role

Then is everything CS? BUT not everything which is non- governmental is a part of CS! Public rather than private goals Does not try to get state control Diversity and pluralism Does not present all interests of a person or a community