What is civil society?

'Civil' comes from the Latin word 'civis', meaning citizen.

Civil society is the main level of organization that exists between households and the state

It is made up of many types of voluntary associations where people combine for their collective interests. These voluntary associations draw from community, neighbourhood, work and other connections. Civil society includes social movements or community based organizations where people come together to advance their interests as a group, such as organizations of disabled persons, women's groups and groups of people with HIV/AIDS. It also includes organizations outside the state or private for-profit sector that provide a social service.

 

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2. INTRODUCTION
Defining civil society?
Civil society and the state

State and non-state:
a working possibility?

Interactive exercise