Civil Society - a British Council DefinitionSource = The British Council (1998)
|
 | Comprises the private domain which exists in the space between (a) the state and its various apparatuses, and (b) the economy and its various expressions; |
| Flourishes where the state is in pluralistic democratic mode and the economy is in capitalist mode; |
| Is a Western European/ North American phenomenon which has contributed to the creation of the conditions for freedom, democracy and successful economic performance; |
| Can be interpreted from the right of the left of the political spectrum and appropriated by both in support of their arguments. |
| Pluralist Democracy | => |
Civil Society |
<= |
Capitalist Economy |
Civil Society is characterised by open-ness and by variety and diversity of expression which ranges from the small and individualised to the large and aggregated as indicated below.
From |
To |
Individual philanthropy |
International charities |
The hobby society |
Professional and trade associations |
Itinerant preachers |
Church hospitals and schools |
Women's Institute |
Women's Movement |
Grass-roots self-help organisations |
Universities and research institutions |
Civil Society is based on the concept of the responsible freedom of individuals. It is thus:
| A private domain but grounded in public notions of equality before the law and the right of free expression whereby, |
| individuals, families and groups are allowed to do whatever they want to do within the law. |
The concept of Civil Society is thought by many to have its roots in the European cultural context and to be about 300 years old:
| European enlightenment philosophers - Ferguson, Locke, Kant |
| European political and economic theorists - Smith, Paine and Mill |
