Civil society (concept)

Civil society is the third sector of society; the other sectors are business and government. Civil society includes organizations that are not controlled by the state or government, such as nongovernmental organizations. The concept encompasses a wide range of activities and issues, including participants in charitable events, organizations that fight exploitation of children, and volunteers with rescue organizations. Although civil societies are not political organizations, they may include political activities, such as voter registration drives, antiwar protests, or marches opposing legislation.

The term civil refers to private citizens, neither public servants nor those serving in the military. Ideas about civil society date to ancient Greece and Rome. The concept was revived late in the twentieth century in Eastern Europe during a revolutionary wave against communism.

Background

From its earliest days, human society could only thrive through cooperation. This interdependence led to discussions about civil society and its place in human life. About 2,500 years ago, Greek and Roman intellectuals viewed civility in terms of the common good and successful leadership. Aristotle recognized that civil organizations contributed to the welfare of society. Like many other scholars, he believed that actions that benefit society are in the realm of the middle and upper classes. Those with the means could work to make changes that benefit all levels of society.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Christianity dominated Europe. During the Enlightenment of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, however, European thought progressed and people rejected the authoritarian structure of society. Old ideas held that God required humankind to submit to monarchs, but many intellectuals began to challenge these ideas. Hallmarks of the period included rational questioning and an emphasis on communication as a means of making progress.

As scientific thought and advancements became increasingly prominent—and scholars explained many things that had been mystifying for centuries—society developed new ideas. Intellect and education were not limited to the privileged, and information was widely shared through printed material, including greater numbers of newspapers. This readily available knowledge influenced societies at all levels. People began to congregate at coffeehouses and literary salons, where they shared and developed ideas. Thoughts from these conversations spread throughout society quickly.

Newly developed democratic notions promoted social association and liberal ideals. The American Revolution and French Revolution came about because of the Enlightenment. With these events acting to level the playing field to a certain degree—removing monarchs from power, for example—society increasingly relied less on government and more on community groups.

Secret societies, such as the Freemasons, grew across Europe. These social groups offered more than opportunities to network and enjoy oneself—they also provided ways in which members could aid one another. During the eighteenth century, a number of social groups began focusing on community service. In Philadelphia, for example, about twenty volunteer fire companies organized to serve their community. Other volunteer organizations aided people experiencing povert, defended the citizenry in wartime, and organized and oversaw public education. Many of these groups arose because the city had no formal legislature for much of its early history, and members of the community had a long tradition of stepping forward to attend to business, including refuse removal and lamp lighting. Many organizations, such as the Saint Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, offered social opportunities to members and provided charitable aid to people experiencing poverty. They also offered networking opportunities for members. Although these civic organizations were almost exclusively male, female relatives of members participated in activities.

Many other social organizations, such as Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs, have also thrived. These and many others contribute to their communities through charitable efforts.

Overview

Civil society includes charities, neighborhood organizations, political action groups of private citizens, nonprofit associations, religious-based groups organizing for or against issues, human rights campaigners, and international organizations, such as the Red Cross and the United Nations (UN). It also includes nongovernmental organizations, such as groups operating health clinics and schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods and nations. Civil society is characterized by pluralism—members of diverse groups working together—and social benefit.

Civil society involves seven primary concepts: nonprofit and voluntary institutions, individual rights, the common good, the rule of law, philanthropy, free expression, and tolerance. Legal and philanthropic institutions are the oldest forms, having existed for two thousand years. Private associations and free expression are the newest forms. Ideas about the common good, individual rights, and tolerance developed very slowly.

A number of international organizations, including the United Nations, promote and work with civil society organizations. The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF), for example, supports projects that promote human rights and protect the democratic process at the local level. The UN Foundation works with nongovernmental organizations around the world to address issues such as energy access, global climate change, health, peace, poverty eradication, and women's empowerment. The UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) supports organizations around the world by providing research and statistics, supplying expertise, and connecting organizations to meet aims. The UN helped to organize the first civil society organization global conference in 2005.

The United Nations often relies on civil society groups to help countries normalize in the aftermath of conflict. The local organizations are often better qualified than outsiders to take on the task for a variety of reasons. They are aware of local customs and concerns, for example, and they speak the local language. Many such organizations are founded spontaneously and operate well before any outside groups can reach communities that are remote or in dangerous territory.

Many civil society groups around the world have taken on a watchdog role. They have scrutinized government and military activities and worked to hold those in power accountable for their actions. This action generally is political in nature, for example, when members of a minority party join forces to protest government actions.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cited the importance of civil society organizations, including business forums, labor unions, think tanks, and philanthropic foundations, in its efforts to reduce poverty in low-income countries. These relationships began largely during the 1980s and often focus on economic and social justice concerns. The IMF views the partnership as a two-way operation, with the IMF offering support and expertise, and the civil society organizations providing supplemental data and local perspectives—as opposed to official positions—on issues.

Bibliography

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