Civil Society
• Civil society was first created in the late 18th century to contrast the democratic
institutions of the West with the despotisms (≈ dictatorship) of the East.
• Today, it means non-governmental institutions that fill the space between the family
and the state: E.g. Churches, trade unions, voluntary associations, and sporting clubs.
• An active civil society is important to bring individuals outside of their family bonds
under non-commercial relationships.
• It also acts as a counter to the power of the state.
References and Recommended Books
• Bruce, Steve and Steven Yearley. 2006. The Sage Dictionary of Sociology. Los
Angeles and London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
• Ritzer George. 2000 (1983) Modern Sociological Theory (fifth edition).
McGraw-Hill Companies.
• Schaefer, Richard T. 2008. Sociology (11th edition). New York and London:
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.