Philippine Politics and Governance

Chapter 11: Civil Society and Social Movements

Dolfo, Mary Rose I. Selwyn Jade B. Villarezco
Fortit, Matt Alldren F. PPG Teacher
Nalzon, Leemark D.
Villanueva, Frezyl Anne A.
Reporters

 Civil Society is a much-debated political idea pertaining to the space, arena, or

sector situated between the state and the market. Civil Society is the aggregate of
non governmental organizations and institutions that manifest will and interest of
the citizens.
Haywood (2000) describes civil society as a “realm of autonomous groups and associations…”
reflecting “the public/private divide,”
Deakin (2001) also proposes the idea of civil society as an arena in which various activities take
place, with varying degrees of engagement with the state and the market.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE STATE, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND THE MARKET:

The informal institution of civil society is the ace between the state and the market. A government
may try to control, suppress, or intimidate civil society. But, civil society is independent of the state,
explaining why the informal institution can survive oppressive regimes.
Institution- an institution is an established manner or means of conducting an activity
that is widely accepted throughout society. It provides the procedure for carrying out
production, consumption, exchange, and other daily economic activities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF CIVIL SOCIETY

 Institutional – include schools, churches, and government offices as well as services,
community organizations and nonprofit agencies.
 A distinct realm of values- principles such as justice, equality, freedom, and respect for
human rights.
 Institutional mechanism- structured systems within organizations or societies that facilitate
decision-making, governance, and policy implementation.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are associations which are established independently
and operate outside the state and the market. The most fundamental attributes of CSOs are: they are
voluntary, non-governmental, and non-profit. Civil society organizations (CSO) in the Philippines play
in working alongside government to help cut poverty, promote human rights, and support inclusive
economic growth.
  Social Movements are defined as a particular form of collective behavior wherein
the impetus to act comes from the attitudes and aspirations of its members.
Social movements are a type of group action. They are large, sometimes informal, groupings
of individuals or organizations which focus on specific political or social issues. In other words, they
carry out, resist, or undo a social change.

DIFFERENCES OF TRADITIONAL AND NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

New social movements (like the women’s movement, the green movement, and the peace
movement) are different from the traditional social movements in three aspects:
1. The supporters of new social movements are young, better-educated, and relatively affluent,
rather than oppressed and disadvantaged;
2. The supporters of new social movements are more concerned with the quality of life rather
than with economic advancement; and
3. The supporters of new social movements are adherents of common new Left values and
beliefs, while traditional social movements have diverse interests and rarely worked together.
THE ROLE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION AND SOCIAL
MOVEMENTS
Civil society organizations and social movements contribute development of a country like the
Philippines.
The service of these informal institutions to the country cannot be underestimated. They serve as
catalysts for change. Governments simply wont be able to function well without them. The imperfect
relationship between these groups on one hand, and the Government on the other, is necessary.
Without the interaction, the status quo will main. There will be no impetus for development and
growth.