Civil Society Introductions

What is civil society? a network of individual, voluntary organizations. a network of individual, voluntary organizations.  Civil society, in general definitions, is believed to provide a counterweight to the power of the state.  voluntary organizations vs primordial organizations Early definitions: a sphere of social activity intended to protect property rights Early definitions: a sphere of social activity intended to protect property rights  Its function – to keep the state from interfering with the interests of the bourgeoisie Current definitions: a realm of democratic social interaction Current definitions: a realm of democratic social interaction  Almost all nonviolent associational activity between individuals and the state.  Function: to enable all citizens to ensure state accountability

Who is part of civil society? Media Media trade unions professional associations of all kinds business associations human rights organizations churches, mosques, synagogues, other religious orgs. charities Book Book clubs Soccer Soccer leagues, sport orgs Animal Animal rights associations Women’s Women’s orgs

A strong civil society exists when… 1. citizens relate voluntarily to each other on the basis of shared interests that do not exclusively replicate primordial ties 2. the state abides by certain rules in dealing with societal actors, recognizing in particular their autonomy 3.state and society accept and protect the exercise of the right to dissent by citizens, provided that dissenting minorities do not use force

Why do political scientists care about civil society? Believed to be critical part of democracy and democratization. Believed to be critical part of democracy and democratization. Believed to check the power of the state, and to provide a set of “norms” for democratic behavior. Believed to check the power of the state, and to provide a set of “norms” for democratic behavior. Promotes “institutional pluralism that prevents the establishment of a monopoly of power and truth” (Gellner). Promotes “institutional pluralism that prevents the establishment of a monopoly of power and truth” (Gellner).

Civil Society in the Middle East: main perspectives Perspective 1- “civil society is absent in the Middle East, or largely ineffective” Perspective 1- “civil society is absent in the Middle East, or largely ineffective”  Islam, tribalism (primordialism), authoritarianism all seen as impediments to the development of civil society Perspective 2- “emerging and even vibrant” Perspective 2- “emerging and even vibrant” Perspective 3- “sparse but nonetheless important” Perspective 3- “sparse but nonetheless important”

Our questions 1: If we confine our discussions to “traditional” western conceptions of civil society, then what can we say about civil society in various Middle Eastern countries? 1: If we confine our discussions to “traditional” western conceptions of civil society, then what can we say about civil society in various Middle Eastern countries? 2: Should we expand our definitions of civil society? Should we include Islamist organizations or not? Should we look at informal networks and consider them part of civil society? Why or why not? What advantages would we gain from expanding our definitions, and what disadvantages would there be? 2: Should we expand our definitions of civil society? Should we include Islamist organizations or not? Should we look at informal networks and consider them part of civil society? Why or why not? What advantages would we gain from expanding our definitions, and what disadvantages would there be?