Civil society is a group of voluntary organizations and institutions with a civic or social slant that work together to bring about civic and social change. They are often non-profit and not tied to established government. Examples include NGOs, charities, and cooperatives. Democracy is often linked to these societies. Many believe that globalization will harm the social life of communities, while others believe it offers opportunities for new types of global societies. The Red Cross is an example of a civil society that has resisted political and economic changes and continues to provide assistance in times of war and disaster.
A civil society, also known as “civil society,” is a collection of organizations and institutions with a civic or social slant that work together in a way that the government cannot or will not. These groups work together on a voluntary basis to bring about civic and social change and to improve people’s lives. Generally, but not always, members of a civil society are non-profit organizations and are not tied to established government.
Civic societies include community-based organizations, community foundations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), civic clubs, programs that develop community leadership, some types of unions, social clubs, academic institutions, charities, environmental groups, and cooperatives. Often, these organizations will work together to host civic events, plan programs for civic change and development, and cooperate to help each other achieve civic goals.
Democracy is often linked to these societies. Their connection lies in their philosophy, as written by Alexis-Charles-Henri Maurice Clérel de Tocqueville, Sidney Verba and Gabriel Almond.
Today the term “civic society” is often heard in debates on globalization. Many activists believe that globalization will harm the social life of communities and that this will result in various kinds of political and social breakdowns. Others believe that globalization offers opportunities for new types of global societies.
While the future of civil society is unknown, many of these societies are known to have resisted many types of political and economic changes. The Red Cross, for example, was developed in October 1863 under the title “The International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent”. This organization, launched in Geneva, Switzerland, set out to offer impartial assistance to the sick and wounded in times of war. The Red Cross continues to work as a civil society and has assisted people who have been involved in some of the worst disasters and bloodiest wars in history.
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