Civil Society

Contents
• １． Definition of ‘civil society’
• ２． Civil society as part of society
• ３． Civil society as a kind of society
• ４． Deeds of civil society
• ５． Shared interests of civil society
• ６． Autonomy of civil society
• ７． Relationship between civil society and
democracy
Definition

• Composed of the combination of all

voluntary civic and social
organizations and institutions that
form the basis of a functioning
society (Wiki)
A part of society

• Civil society as voluntary

associations—development NGOs,
charity groups, community groups,
women’s organizations, self-help
groups and advocacy groups.
A kind of society
• More than voluntary
• A society that involves ideals
• Action through many different institutions
and all forms of voluntary participation,
whether private or public, political or
apolitical
• Coordinated action going in the same
direction
• Common good
Deeds of civil society

• Gives means to people to be active

• Guarantees independence of
associations, institutional
partnerships, alliances and coalitions
• Nurtures trust, cooperation and
reciprocity
Shared interests

• Develop shared interests

• Drive willingness to cede territory to
others
• See others as one see oneself
• Promote peaceful resolution of
differences and gaps
Autonomy of civil society

• Includes a wide range of social

sectors
• Independent from the State or
autonomous
• Discourage monopoly of bases of
power
Relationship between civil
society and democracy
• Creates viability of constitutional
demographic regimes
• Help build social capital, trust and
shared values
• Facilitates interconnectedness
between society and interests in it
For a common cause

• Human beings are inherently rational

so that they can collectively shape
the nature of society they belong to,
human beings have the capacity to
voluntarily gather for the common
cause and maintain peace in society
(Philosophers in the classical period).
ANY
Question????