Civil Society

Civil society in a descriptive sense – a concept Civil society in a prescriptive sense – a theory, a model What is it? Can it serve as a model for political and social change?

Civil society is a space, an arena, a sphere In which citizens associate with each other independently of the state, creating a network of links and organizations to promote their collective identities and serve and represent their group interests Marx: “Society minus the state”

Canadian associations (Compiled by Micromedia ProQuest) 14,542 –special interest 10,223 – with unique email addresses (?) 6,669 trade associations 1,853 professional associations 2,541 business and finance 1,344 Boards of Trade/Chambers of Commerce 411 trade unions 2,467 environmental associations 441 - politics 1,983 art and culture 1,763 sports associations MEDIA?

Membership size: 182 associations with over 50,000 members 246 – with 15,000 – 49,999 members 448 – with 5,000 – 14,999 members 1,218 – with 1,000 – 4,999 members

State-society relations How much individual freedom and autonomy does the state allow? How free are citizens to form associations? Does civil society challenge the state? The rise of civil society is an evolutionary, gradual process At some point, this evolution leads to a clash with the state

A revolution to establish society’s autonomy from the state (civil and political rights and liberties) No revolution involves the entire civil society – normally, it is led by specific social and political forces which seek to represent “the people” 2 periods: late 18th century and late 20th century The past 30 years: the fall of dozens of authoritarian regimes Civil society compelled the state to yield

In established democracies: The need to defend civil society from the state Representation of interests means pressure on the state Every state policy evokes different reactions from civil society: some support, some oppose So, a degree of friction and tension between civil society and the state is a normal condition in a democracy

Relations within civil society How divided is civil society? It is very diverse Inequality of power The associations may compete, but must not destroy each other Toleration of differences allows society to exist Civil society may produce civil wars Yugoslavia

Civil society as a model Developing countries, new democracies after the collapse of authoritarian regimes Civil society as a good society: Autonomous from the state Peaceful Pluralistic Citizens enjoying civil and political rights Underpinning political democracy

2 sides to it 1. For societies emerging from authoritarian rule, the civil society model is a major step forward – the main thing is limiting the power of the state, creation of conditions for freedom More generally, with development of democracy the dominance of state over society should give way to the opposite situation: dominance of society over the state But is the state the only source of antidemocratic tendencies? And… What about relations within civil society itself?

2. Once you leave state-society relations aside, And begin a critical examination of what happens within civil society itself, You discover problems with the model: What about inequality in the distribution of power in the private sphere? What levels and forms of inequality and discrimination are compatible with social peace – and what levels generate deep social splits and conflicts? Can civil society be oppressive of individuals, minorities? Etc.

The state can – and does - try to reform society Should a democratic state intervene in civil society to help deal with inequality, discrimination, oppression? Violence in the family Mandatory primary and secondary school education Prohibition of private practices which violate human rights Redistribution of wealth to reduce inequality Etc. The state can – and does - try to reform society Some reforms are successful, others create more problems than they solve

Every reform program is a matter of debate, supported by some, opposed by others Because at stake is the distribution and use of social power Economic, political, cultural considerations When do significant reforms take place?

Sufficient pressure from citizens, civil society groups Political leadership accepts the need for reforms Appropriate legal conditions are in place: the government can actually do it Are reforms always associated with the Left? Generally, the Right is sceptical of reforms But sometimes, the Right offers its own reform agenda, which is also aimed at changing civil society relations

2 extremes: When the state’s ability do deal with social problems is artificially limited in the name of civil society and privatization When civil society is undermined - or even destroyed - by the state in the name of progressive change (the 20th century communist experience) In both cases, democracy suffers, social progress is stymied, the people lose power to elites

Local Politics

Levels of government National (central) Regional (in large states) Local (municipal) Distribution of power between the levels is a hot political issue everywhere, at all times

Historically, political power starts at the local level and grows from the bottom up Because that’s where the people are Tribal authority The rise of the city and the rise of the state are inseparable The state is built around the city The city is the king’s fortress But the city also contains civil society, with elements of self-government

The city vs. the countryside In the Middle Ages, 3 axes of conflict: The king vs. the city The city vs. the countryside The city can be ruthlessly oppressive The power of the gentry The king vs. the countryside

In the Modern Age, the city becomes the hub of social development Industry, trade, education Capitalism, industrialization and urbanization go hand in hand The city is the hotbed of change, new ideas, new politics, dissent, revolution These roles of the city collide with its role as the state’s main base

The countryside moves to the cities The rise of democracy does not eliminate the conflict between the two sides of the city: The seat of power – political and economic The home of society The countryside moves to the cities The size and power of the state increases massively Liberal democracy increasingly becomes the norm What do we see?

Local government is closest to the people It is elected by the citizens Does it make it more democratic? How close is it to democratic self-government? Is it more honest? How effective is it?

The local government provides citizens with many public goods As cities grow, the demand for local services grows, too Lack of funds: growing need for help from other levels of the state Lack of power at the municipal level Low levels of citizen participation The divisions within the city Some groups are more powerful than others