Difference between “Society”

and “Civil Society” –

There exists a subtle distinction between Society and Civil Society. Society is the web of social
relations. All social, economic political, cultural, religious, cooperative, conflictual, competitive,
public and private relations and interactions constitute the society.

“Society is the entirety of all public and private relations and interactions among all the people of
the society.” It consists of all organized and unorganized groups and their relations and
interactions.

In contrast the Civil Society consists of the activities and relations of all nongovernmental

autonomous voluntary organizations and private institutions of the people. Civil Society is the
set of intermediate associations which are neither the state (governmental) nor the family. It
plays an active role in social economic and cultural activities. It consists of voluntarily organized
active associations, organizations and institutions of the people.

Civil Society consists of organized attempts and activities of non-governmental associations

which work for serving a public purpose by working as autonomous private organizations of the
people.

Civil Society helps the society to live as a healthy and continuously evolving system of relations.
This is done by it through its attempts to keep the exercise of the power of the state away from
misuse and authoritarianism as well as through its activities for serving the larger interests of the
people.

Thus, Civil Society is different from both society and state. Yet the three are highly related, fully
integrated and essential to each other. In a developed and healthy democratic system the three
work as highly related structures each one working in a positive, healthy and mutually beneficial
manner.

The State and Society both need the Civil Society. Civil Society works in the society and with
the state but in an autonomous manner. Civil Society is neither opposed to state nor interferes
with the state. It acts as a helping non-governmental hand for securing progress and
development of all the people of society.
It works for the protection of the rights of the people and the rule of law. Civil society functions to
keep the government representative responsible, transparent and accountable. It seeks to build
and project healthy and clear public opinion on all social and economic issues, policies and
problems. It serves as a link between the people and the government.