Matt Mackowiak
268766690
TLC 331
TTH 2-3:30
Dr. Henry
Civil Society
Undoubtedly, the term civil society is a relative term, based on history, government, institutions, and the citizens. To find one definition for the term is an arduous task, and the many different perspectives of scholars must be considered. Dr. Charad defines civil society as institutions constructed by people, most of which are non-governmental organizations (NGO). In her opinion, these institutions that people build function as a buffer between the people and the government, to protect the organization from the government, but also to temper the powers of the government. She also says, ironically, that NGO's are not independent from the government, that everything is governmental. Shareef Marden argues that civil society is a western phenomenon and is incompatible in the east. I would tend to agree with Marden in the sense that there is no blanket civil society - that it is different in every region of the world.
Huntingdon would argue that a large aspect of civil society is religion, and that in his mind Christianity is conducive to democracy, while Islam and Confuscianism are not (which may, in part, explain some of the current problems in the middle east and US's misunderstanding of the region). Said, in response to Huntingdon's "the Clash of Civilizations", believes that civil society is different in every culture and that Huntingdon's thesis is a "gimmick, better for reinforcing defensive self-pride than for understanding the interdependence of our time". One thing is for certain, there are infinite definitions for civil society and what it means in the world today.
Hegel believes civil society contains three things: 1) the mediation of need and one man's satisfaction through his and the satisfaction of the needs of all others (something he calls the system of needs); 2) the actuality of the Universal principle of freedom therein contained - protection of property through the administration of justice; and 3) the provision against contingencies in the first two and care for particular interests as a common interest, by means of the police and the corporation. Essentially, Hegel is for a system of checks and balances, though he takes a very scientific, quantitative approach.
Edward Shils argues that civil society must be civil (because without it you would not have consolidated democracy), and is very idealist and culturally biased in his theories. The Programme on Governance in the Arab Region finds that civil society organizations exist to pride checks on government power through improving the "accountability and transparency" of the political system.
Civil society can be many different things, at times useful to democracy, at times a hindrance to governments and political systems. I believe it includes three key points: the interest of the citizens in their political system (including a desire for that system), the combination of empowering citizens to effect positive change and balance the unregulated power of government and its institutions, and the responsibility of every citizen to take part in the process. An citizen must feel that the government serves some purpose in their own lives to be willing to take part in the process - this is the apparent benefit to democratic systems, that freedom makes more civil, rational, fair, involved citizens because they feel they are in the process. It also includes giving citizens the ability and the opportunity to change something that they don't like, whether its starting a protest, pushing for new legislation, casting their vote, etc.
Civil society is also about the citizens as watchdogs for the government - to be the critics and have the responsibility of helping to change inefficiencies or inequities in the system. But the most important part of the definition is that any citizen feel that a relationship with their political system is mutually beneficial: that they stand to gain something and the system needs them to be involved.
Finally, here is my definition: civil society is when interested citizens of a political system are empowered to effect change and balance government power, and that every single citizen has the responsibility to be involved in this capacity.
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Matt Mackowiak