Civil Society: Definition and Origins

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Questions and Answers

What is civil society primarily defined as?

Organizations operating only within the state

All organizations operating between the state and family (correct)

Economic entities focused on profit

Government agencies and bodies

Civil society is considered a coherent theory or concept.

False

Name one Enlightenment-era philosopher associated with civil society.

Rousseau

Civil society is often referred to as the ______ Sector.

Third Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following thinkers saw civil society as protecting personal freedoms against state powers?

Adam Ferguson Signup and view all the answers

Match the following thinkers with their views on civil society:

Rousseau = Civil society synonymous with the state Hegel = Intermediate realm between family and state Gramsci = Part of the superstructure with different functions De Tocqueville = Foundation of stable democratic polity Signup and view all the answers

Civil society organizations function only within the economic sector.

False Signup and view all the answers

What role did twentieth-century civil society organizations come to represent?

Culture, ideology, and political debate Signup and view all the answers

What role did civil society play in Latin America and Eastern Europe during the 1970s and 1980s?

It worked towards democratic governments and redistribution of power Signup and view all the answers

Civil society in the 1990s was primarily focused on facilitating state control.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name two issues that social movements within civil society were concerned with in the 1990s.

Human rights, climate change Signup and view all the answers

Civil society organizations often include __________ and ethnic movements.

religious Signup and view all the answers

Why did civil society become a more effective instrument for 'good governance' in the 1990s?

It became a strong instrument within the neoliberal policy agenda Signup and view all the answers

What did civil society represent concerning state power?

A check on state power Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts became interchangeable with civil society for many?

Democracy Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

Civil society = Social movements and organizations promoting democracy Totalitarianism = A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority Neoliberal agenda = Economic policies advocating free-market capitalism Military dictatorship = A government led by military leaders with authoritarian control Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Civil Society

Civil society operates between the state and family, encompassing NGOs, clubs, pressure groups, and community-based organizations, also referred to as the voluntary, non-profit, or third sector. Influenced by Enlightenment philosophers like Rousseau and Kant, civil society emerged as a space outside the state and market, engaging in culture, ideology, and political debate. Gramsci viewed it as part of the superstructure, contrasting its role with that of the state. In the 1970s and 1980s, it became associated with resistance against dictatorships in Latin America and Eastern Europe, promoting local empowerment and democratic governance. By the 1990s, civil society was recognized as vital for democracy and "good governance," aligning with NGOs’ activities on issues of human rights, climate change, and health, while including various movements and organizations.

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Description

Explore the concept of civil society, including its definition and historical origins. This quiz delves into the influences of Enlightenment thinkers and the role of civil society in contemporary social structures. Test your knowledge about the voluntary sector and its significance.