'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. |