What does civil society do? Civil society: concept, characteristics, structure

One of the main tasks of any democratic state is to modern world is to achieve consensus among citizens. This is only possible if the interests of various social groups are respected and it is possible to achieve civil harmony. Civil society plays the main role in consolidating and connecting state and personal interests. This concept is quite broad, and in this article we will try to understand it.

What is civil society

Very often, the development of the state itself directly depends on the level at which civil society is located. To understand the essence of this concept, it is necessary to give a definition. Civil society is a system public relations and institutions that are not government. This includes formal and informal structures that provide conditions for human political and social activity.

In addition, civil society is also the satisfaction and implementation of various needs and interests of individuals, social groups and associations. It usually exists in two dimensions: social and institutional.

If we talk about the social component, then this is historical experience, which, as it were, outlines the limits of possible actions of all participants in the political process. Experience can be both collective and individual. It determines the behavior of an individual in the political arena, way of thinking and some other aspects of interpersonal relationships.

If we imagine that civil society is an institutional dimension, then it can be characterized as a set of organizations that express the interests of various segments of the population. In addition, they are trying to implement them regardless of the state.

Thus, the concept of civil society is quite broad, and different political scientists interpret it differently.

Principles of civil society

Any society has its own beliefs, and civil society is no exception. It operates based on the following principles:

Signs of civil society

Society does not depend on the state and has its own developed economic, political, legal and cultural relations between its members, therefore it is characterized by certain characteristics. The main ones are the following:

• People's consciousness is at a high level.
• There is material security, which is built on the ownership of property.
• All members of society have close connections with each other.
• There is a controlled state power, which is represented by hired workers who have the appropriate competence and ability to solve society's problems.
• Power is decentralized.
• Some power is transferred to self-government bodies.
• Any conflicts in society must be resolved by finding compromises.
• There is a real sense of collectivity, ensured by the awareness of belonging to one culture, nation.
• The personality of society is a person who is focused on spirituality and the creation of everything new.

It is also worth mentioning that developed democracy can and should also be included in the characteristics of civil society. Without it it is impossible to build a modern society. In almost any state, society has its own distinctive characteristics.

Structure of civil society

Society is also different in that it has its own structure, which necessarily includes public organizations and institutions. Their task is to ensure and create conditions for the realization of the interests of citizens and the needs of entire groups.

In addition, the structure of civil society also includes some subsystem elements, which include:

• National movements and nations.
• Classes.
• Social strata of society (for example, pensioners, students).
• Political parties or movements.
• Social movements of a mass nature (for example, trade union organizations, advocates environment, animal activists, etc.).
• Religious organizations.
• Public organizations (dog lovers, society of teetotalers or beer lovers).
• Various unions or associations, which may include entrepreneurs and bankers.
• A consumer society to which we can all be classified.
• Any team in production, in educational institutions.
• The family is the unit of our society, so it is also part of its structure.

It often happens that even outstanding individuals can perform the functions of a separate element of society. These include the following: A. Sakharov, A. Solzhenitsyn, D. Likhachev and others.

Functions of civil society

Any organization or association performs its specific functions. This also applies to civil society. Among the main functions are the following:

1. The production of norms and values ​​that the state approves through its sanctions.
2. The formation of the environment in which the formation of the individual takes place.
3. Creating conditions for the free development of personality on the basis of various forms of ownership.
4. Regulation and control of all structures of society and their relationships with each other using civil law. This makes it possible to avoid or overcome various conflicts and develop certain policies in the interests of the entire society.
5. Protecting the rights of every person and his interests by creating an extensive system of legal mechanisms.
6. Large-scale self-government in all spheres of public life.

Relations between society and state

The state and civil society are constantly interacting. Society turns to the state with its initiatives, proposals, interests and demands, most often requiring support, and above all material.

The state, in turn, meets halfway in different ways, these could be:

• Consideration of initiatives and their support or disapproval.
• Allocation of funds for the development of organizations or funds.

In almost any state, the government structures have bodies that deal with public relations. This relationship may be in different forms, for example, registering new organizations and providing them with assistance, creating conditions for material support.

In addition to special bodies, there is another form of contact between society and the state. This is when representatives of civil society are members of commissions and councils that work in the government. For example, deputies, experts and narrow professionals who possess valuable information related to the development of society.

If we consider in detail the interaction between society and the state, we can draw certain conclusions:

1. Civil and legal society is a powerful lever in the system of limiting the desire of political power to dominate. Participation in election campaigns is used for this purpose. As well as the formation of public opinion with the help of independent media.
2. Civil society is constantly in need of government support. That is why many representatives of organizations take an active part in the work of government agencies. Despite the fact that most organizations are self-forming and independent, they still interact with the state in different forms.
3. It has a keen interest in good relations with society.

The concept of civil society is too broad and ambitious, but it necessarily implies close interaction with government agencies. It is very important for a democratic state that these relationships be trusting and close; this is the only way to have economic and political stability.

Civil society and its institutions

As we have already found out, the main element of any society is the person. Therefore, all groups and organizations must contribute to the comprehensive development of the individual and the realization of his interests.

Civil society institutions can be divided into several groups:

1. Organizations in which an individual receives everything necessary to satisfy his vital needs, for example, food, nutrition, housing. These may be trade union organizations, industrial or consumer unions.
2. The second group of institutions includes family, church, sports organizations, and creative unions. In them the individual satisfies his spiritual and physical needs.
3. Political parties and movements satisfy the needs for management activities.

Thus, the implementation of all interests of citizens is carried out by the institutions of civil society. The boundaries of these rights and freedoms constitute its main features.

Characteristic features of modern civil society

Today's times are characterized by civil society, which has the following characteristics:

• There is no complete and unified system yet civil structures. We can also talk about weak legal protection of citizens.
• In society one can see the division of people into poor and rich, elite and ordinary people, government officials and everyone else.
• Weak social basis of society. According to estimates, the middle class accounts for 16 to 30% of all citizens.
• The unifying cultural values: respect for the individual, solidarity, trust and others are not clearly expressed.
• Citizens in most cases are passive and do not want to take part in the political and social life of the state.
• Organizations have either weak or ineffective influence on government authorities.
• The legal basis of civil society is still at the stage of formation.
• The appearance of society as a whole is influenced by historical development, and modern features.
• Now the process of formation of civil society in Russia cannot yet be called complete. This is a very long journey. Many citizens simply do not realize the role of society in the life of the state and their own.

Big problem on this moment is the alienation of many organizations, groups, institutions from the state.

Global Open Society

Global civil society is already international sphere manifestations of citizens' initiatives, their association on a voluntary basis in organizations. This area is not amenable to government intervention or regulation. Such a society is the main basis for the development of civilization and a kind of regulator of not only the economy, but also politics in all countries of the world.

An open global society has its own characteristics:

1. There is a rapid change of officials based on public opinion.
2. The same can be said about the elite of society.
3. Availability of available funds mass media, which are not subject to government censorship.
4. Availability social networks, in which citizens can influence each other.
5. Public opinion depends on citizens' assessments.
6. All rights and freedoms are realized in reality, and not just on paper.
7. Self-government is at a high level.
8. The state is pursuing correct social policy.
9. The middle class also has weight in society.
10. Behind government agencies control by public organizations.

Thus, we can say that a global society is one in which the state does not dominate the relations of citizens.

Society and its development

If we talk about the development of civil society, we can safely say that it is not finished yet. This applies not only to our country, but also to all other world states.

Most political scientists argue that the formation of civil society began in ancient times For example, in Greece and Rome there were separate elements of society. There was a development of trade and crafts, this led to the emergence of commodity-money production, which was consolidated in Roman private law.

If we talk about European regions, we can distinguish several stages in the development of society:

1. The first stage can be dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries. At this time, political, economic, and ideological prerequisites for the development of civil society began to appear. This is the rapid development of industry, trade, division of labor, the development of commodity-money relations, an ideological revolution, the formation of culture and art.
2. The second stage begins in the 17th century and continues until the 19th century. This period was marked by the formation of civil society in the most developed countries in the form of capitalism, which was based on private enterprise.
3. The 20th century is the beginning of the third stage of development, which continues to the present day.

If we talk about the development of civil society in Russia at the present time, we can note a number of features:

• Our society has an underdeveloped political culture.
• Many citizens lack social responsibility.
• Initially, Russia belonged to those countries that are more oriented towards the state than towards society. Such stereotypes are quite difficult to correct.
• There is no powerful social layer that would be able to lead the social movement, so the main role in this is given to the state.

The formation of civil society is a long and almost continuous process in which both citizens and the state take active and equal participation. If it is possible to form a modern legal civil society, then the state will be forced to obey the laws and serve for the benefit of citizens.

CIVIL SOCIETY

2. The reasons for the emergence of civil society and the conditions for its functioning

3. The structure of civil society and the main directions of its activity

4. Civil society and the state

Civil society in many respects is the most mysterious category of political science. It exists without a single organizational center. The public organizations and associations that make up civil society arise spontaneously. Without any participation of the state, civil society turns into a powerful self-organizing and self-regulating sphere of public life. Moreover, in some countries it exists and is developing successfully, while in others, in particular in the former USSR, it has not existed for many decades. If such a huge power as the USSR, as well as a number of other states, existed without civil society, perhaps there is no particular need for it? After all, there is a state called upon to govern society, to take care of its economic and political stability, the growth of the people’s well-being and much more.

It is no coincidence that the issue of civil society is considered after studying the topic “Political Regimes”. It is known that they are divided into two groups: democratic and non-democratic. Under non-democratic regimes (for example, under totalitarianism), there is no and cannot be a civil society. In democratic countries, there is no need to choose whether to be or not to be a civil society, because it becomes NECESSARY. Civil society is the most important component of a democratic state. The degree of development of civil society reflects the level of development of democracy.

If citizens former USSR either they knew nothing at all about civil society, or had very vague ideas about it, then in modern Russia this is one of the most frequently encountered concepts. He is mentioned in connection with questions government controlled, in connection with the Constitution and the Civil Code, when analyzing political regimes, in connection with the transition to market economy, the development of private property, and most importantly - in connection with education in the country in last years numerous, previously unknown organizations and associations of entrepreneurs, bankers, tenants, actors, war veterans, pensioners, etc.

What is civil society and why can it develop most fully only under democratic political regimes?

Civil society is a human community emerging and developing in democratic states, represented by

I) a network of voluntarily formed non-state structures (unions, organizations, associations, unions, centers, clubs, foundations, etc.) in all spheres of society and

2) a set of non-state relations - economic, political, social, spiritual, religious and others.

Specifying this definition, we note the following:

This “network” can be very dense, including hundreds of thousands in some countries. various kinds associations of citizens or enterprises (a sign of a highly developed democratic society), and “loose”, numbering a modest number of such organizations (a sign of states taking their first steps in democratic development);

The associations that make up civil society reflect the widest range of economic, legal, cultural and many other interests of citizens (enterprises) and are created in order to satisfy these interests;

The specificity of all organizations that form civil society is that they are created not by the state, but by citizens and enterprises themselves, and exist autonomously from the state, but, of course, within the framework of current laws;

The associations that make up civil society arise, as a rule, spontaneously (due to the emergence of a specific interest and need for its implementation in a group of citizens or enterprises). Then some part of these associations may cease to exist. However, the overwhelming majority of them become long-lived, constantly active, gaining strength and authority over time;

Civil society as a whole is a spokesman for public opinion, which serves as a unique form of manifestation of its influence on political power. Let us give some examples of the emergence of organizations and associations that make up civil society, which reflect the motives for their creation, forms of activity and goals.

It is known that Russia's transition to a market economy gave a powerful start to the process of formation of commercial banks in the country. Until August 1998, there were more than 1,500 of them. The formation of commercial banks is the result of private initiative of citizens or enterprises. In a market environment, they act at their own peril and risk. Market laws are extremely strict. Bankruptcy is not excluded. In addition, there are states that can change the legislation on banks and tighten the conditions for their functioning.

As world experience shows, the market and the state can be both a liability and an asset of a business (banking, in particular). In order for them to be active, you need to fight for it. Group, associated efforts are needed. Russian commercial banks have existed for only a few years, but already in 1991 they formed the Association of Russian Banks, which united Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm, Novorossiysk, Far Eastern and a number of others regional organizations. The main goals of the Association are to coordinate the actions of Russian banks, implement joint programs, and protect commercial banks. In this regard, the Association is developing a concept for the development of banking, recommendations and draft normative documents regulating the work of banks and their relations with the Central Bank. There is reason to believe that the Association of Russian Banks successfully defends the collective interests of commercial banks through government bodies. In particular, by a special presidential decree, the activities of foreign commercial banks in Russia were limited until 1996. Thus, a very strong competitor of Russian banks was neutralized.

Another example. The diversity of forms of ownership, in particular the equalization of rights with all other private property rights, has led to the formation in the country of numerous cooperative, rental enterprises, joint stock companies, limited liability partnerships and other forms of enterprise. The success of their work depends on themselves. Raw materials for production, work force, the production itself, storage and sales of finished products are all their own business. However, at the same time, these enterprises still have a number of important relations with the state. This applies to taxes customs duties, state insurance, compliance with environmental legislation, storage rules, transportation of products and much more

World experience shows that tax policy states can be influenced towards liberalization. But again, success is more realistic if negotiations with government agencies are conducted by a united representative body that arose on the initiative of entrepreneurs, as a civil society organization. Numerous unions of entrepreneurs exist in all countries of the world. It can even be stated that they occupy the largest share in the structure of civil society. Russia, transitioning to a market economy, was no exception. Over the course of several years, hundreds of various types of associations have arisen here, including in the business sphere. These include the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the Congress of Russian Business Circles. Union of Entrepreneurs and Tenants, Association of Joint Ventures, Union of United Cooperatives, Association of Enterprise Managers, Union of Joint Stock Companies, Association of Peasant (Farm) Households and Agricultural Cooperatives, Union of Young Entrepreneurs of Russia, Union of Small Enterprises of Russia.

Let's say a little more about the Union of Small Enterprises of Russia. It originated in 1990. the main objective- to contribute in every possible way to the elimination of monopolism in Russian economy. This organization is developing proposals to improve state legislation regarding the formation and functioning of small enterprises. In addition, the Union of Small Enterprises of Russia is engaged in the development of business cooperation among small enterprises. It assists its members in mastering new technology and technology, in introducing management innovations, the Union holds conferences and business meetings, assists small businesses in the construction of industrial buildings.

The examples given concern the economic sphere. However, the range of public interests in connection with which civil society organizations arise goes far beyond its framework. It covers political, cultural, legal, economic, scientific and many other interests. These interests may lie on other planes. For example, believing that the state is not actively pursuing a policy of reorganization Russian army, eliminating “hazing” and other things that discredit the honor and dignity of soldiers, the so-called hazing, the mothers of soldiers serving, organized the Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers, which sets specific goals to protect the rights of conscripts and conducts an active dialogue with the government. Veterans of the Great Patriotic War, Afghan soldiers, and disabled people have their own organizations.

In the future, as we consider issues related to civil society, other examples of civil society organizations will be given. However, it follows from what has been said that civil society is the environment in which modern man, legally satisfies his needs, develops his individuality, comes to realize the value of group action and social solidarity.(Kumar K. Civil Society // Civil Society M, 1994. P. 21).

In conclusion of this paragraph, we note that many sciences, jurisprudence, economic theory, history, philosophy, sociology, etc., show interest in civil society.

Jurisprudence studies civil society as a subject of civil law and as a subject of legal regulation.

Economic theory interested in the economic reasons for the emergence of civil society organizations and the role of the financial sector in their functioning.

Story describes specific national forms civil society, features of citizen participation in public life.

Philosophy and sociology study civil society as a social system, as a form of social organization and communication.

However especially important role in the study of civil society belongs to political scientists." It is political science that studies the nature and forms of interaction of civil society with political and public institutions - the state as a whole, federal and local authorities. Based on the achievements of other sciences, political science explores the causes and conditions for the emergence of civil society, its structure, directions of evolution. In other words, political science recreates a holistic picture of civil society.

Civil society is one of the concepts of sociological and political theory (along with the concepts of freedom, justice, equality, democracy), which have both theoretical and practical significance. Concepts of this kind are not easy to define, and their application means not only a certain area of ​​uncertainty, but also greater or lesser differences in their interpretation. But, nevertheless, it is possible to isolate two specific parameters or functions of the concept of civil society: theoretical-analytical and normative.

In the first meaning, it is used as a theoretical category for analyzing and explaining the phenomena of social reality. In this sense, civil society is an aggregated concept that denotes a specific set of public communications and social connections, institutions and values, the main subjects of which are: a citizen with his civil rights and civil (not political or governmental) organizations: associations, associations, social movements and civil institutions.

In contrast to the first theoretical and analytical function, in the second function the concept of civil society has predominantly the status of a normative concept that contributes to the motivation and mobilization of citizens and other social actors for the development of various contents and forms of civic activity. This function takes on particular importance in societies in a state of transformation.

Speaking about civil society, we should proceed from the concept of man and citizen, i.e. his rights and freedoms, as the main determinant political system a society that strives to be modern and democratic. Now the concept of citizenship must also be rehabilitated, i.e. political and economic subjectivity, moral, religious and creative autonomy should be restored to man. It is difficult to imagine that a person can be free as long as an economic monopoly of any kind severely limits his activity.

It is no coincidence that civil society is considered synonymous with bourgeois society, for it emerges only with the creation of modern bourgeois society Kola D. Civil society. M. 1999. P. 452.. Only in this way does space open for the individual, his independence and initiative.

The very name “civil society” comes from the concept of citizen. It arises with the emergence of an independent individual, endowed with a certain set of rights and freedoms and at the same time bearing moral and other responsibility for his actions to society. The most important prerequisite for the formation of civil society is the elimination of class privileges and the increasing importance of the individual. The individual is transformed from a subject, obligated to be personally loyal to the monarch, into a citizen with legal rights equal to all other citizens.

People and their associations (economic, political, religious, professional, cultural, etc.) constitute civil society.

An essential element of civil society is the rule of law. This is broader than the idea of ​​the rule of law.

Autonomy of society - important element civil society, and this means the autonomy of various public spheres and associations - the economy (i.e. enterprises), trade unions, universities, the press, science, citizens' associations and individual professions, religious associations, i.e. churches.

The role of the state in relation to these social agents should be limited to establishing the most general framework in the form of a law regulating the rules of the game, which everyone must adhere to so as not to jeopardize the same rights and freedoms of other members of society. Economic, social, political and cultural pluralism, which is the alpha and omega of civil society, is established on the basis of the autonomy of social factors, the rights and freedoms of man and citizen.

The autonomy of various spheres of society implies that they can self-organize into appropriate associations, democratic inner life which has important for civil society.

Main condition active life civil society is social freedom, democratic social management, the existence of the public sphere political activity and political discussions. A free citizen is the basis of civil society. Social freedom creates the opportunity for a person’s self-realization in society.

An important condition for the functioning of civil society is openness and the associated high awareness of citizens, which makes it possible to realistically assess the economic situation and see social problems and take steps to resolve them.

And finally, the fundamental condition for the successful functioning of civil society is the presence of appropriate legislation and constitutional guarantees of its right to exist.

Under non-democratic regimes (for example, under totalitarianism), there is no and cannot be a civil society. In democratic countries, there is no choice - to be or not to be a civil society - because it becomes necessary. Civil society is the most important component of a democratic state. The degree of development of civil society reflects the level of development of democracy.

Civil society is a human community that is emerging and developing in democratic states, represented by: 1. a network of voluntarily formed non-state structures (unions, organizations, associations, unions, centers, clubs, foundations, etc.) in all spheres of society and 2. a set of non-state relations - economic, political, social, spiritual, religious and others.

To clarify this definition, we note the following:

• -this “network” can be very dense, including in some countries hundreds of thousands of various types of associations of citizens or enterprises (a sign of a highly developed democratic society), and “loose”, numbering a modest number of such organizations (a sign of states taking their first steps in a democratic development);
• - associations that make up civil society reflect the widest range of economic, family, legal, cultural and many other interests of citizens (enterprises) and are created in order to satisfy these interests;
• - the specificity of all organizations that form civil society is that they are created not by the state, but by citizens and enterprises themselves; they exist autonomously from the state, but, of course, within the framework of current laws;
• - associations that make up civil society arise, as a rule, spontaneously (due to the emergence of a specific interest and need for its implementation in a group of citizens or enterprises). Then some part of these associations may cease to exist. However, the overwhelming majority of them become long-lived, constantly active, gaining strength and authority over time;
• -civil society as a whole is a spokesman for public opinion, which serves as a unique form of manifestation of its political power.

There are general reasons that fuel the process of creation and development of civil society, obviously quite serious. There are many of them, but there are three main, fundamental ones.

The first reason is related to private property. In a developed democratic society, the overwhelming majority of the population are private owners. Of course, representatives big business few. However, the middle class is developed and numerous. For the vast majority of these owners, private property is a means of generating income and a means of livelihood for their families. Not only do they have something to lose, but with the loss of property they are deprived of the most important thing - a source of livelihood. Therefore, it is not surprising that the energetic efforts of its owners are aimed at preserving property and creating optimal conditions for its legal capacity.

The most effective are collective efforts: various types of associations of owners with the same interests; associations of farmers, unions of entrepreneurs, bankers, etc. Their representatives constantly interact with the relevant commissions in legislative bodies and with the government, seeking to optimize the conditions for the functioning of private property owned by members of these organizations.

The second reason is closely related to the first. We are talking about a free market economy. A democratic society, along with other freedoms, presupposes an economic system that develops according to its own laws. Only by observing these laws can you successfully conduct entrepreneurial activity. And most importantly, it is very difficult to resist the laws of the market alone. Various types of associations of entrepreneurs, that is, civil society organizations, are designed to facilitate this task.

The third reason for the need for the emergence and functioning of civil society is as follows. A democratic state is called upon to satisfy the interests and needs of its citizens as much as possible. However, the interests emerging in society are so numerous, so diverse and differentiated that practically the state cannot have information about all these interests. This means that it is necessary to inform the state about the specific interests of citizens, which can only be satisfied by the forces and means of the state itself. And again, the effect is achieved if we act through civil society organizations.

There are many civil society organizations in every democratic country. They can be organized in connection with specific problems of the region and even a separate city, in connection with professional interests (for example, various guilds of film and theater actors), these are charitable organizations and foundations, associations related to the need to restore monuments of great cultural significance. This also includes numerous movements (for example, in connection with the protest against the condemnation of innocent people), etc. Many such organizations and civil society movements are growing to a national scale. A typical example in this regard is the “green” movement in the West. European countries Oh.

civil society law concept

The content of the article

CIVIL SOCIETY. The concept of civil society has a long and complex history. It came into use in the 17th and 18th centuries, and its main meaning was that the community of citizens should have its own laws and not depend on the gross arbitrariness of the state. Historically, this concept goes back to the family Latin words civis, civilic, civitas (citizen, civil, city, state), which is associated with such aspects of civil society as citizenship, civic duties and virtues, civilized behavior.

Problems with definition.

The main problem in trying to define civil society arises from the fact that civil society has two different aspects, social and political. From the time of Aristotle until Locke, these two spheres were considered in an inseparable unity. It was as if civil society as such did not exist at all. The community, the state, koinonia, civitas were a single social and political whole. Societies were political societies, and this situation still held in 1690 when John Locke wrote his Second treatise on government. One of its chapters is entitled “On Political and Civil Society.” Locke believed that society in this sense differs from the state of nature; it differs significantly from the community of spouses and family. Moreover, civil society is incompatible with an absolute monarchy. At the same time, it is a political entity (“body”); for Locke, the social contract and the contract between citizens and the state are one and the same.

A century later, the terminology has changed. In the work of Adam Ferguson Experience in the history of civil society(1767) notes the gap between the political and social spheres. Around the same time, J. Madison, in his articles in The Federalist, emphasized the role of civil society as a counterbalance to the arbitrariness of the state. He believed that a guarantee against the tyranny of the majority is the presence in society of various groups with divergent interests. In this sense, civil society is the guardian of human rights.

In the 19th and 20th centuries. By civil society, many began to understand simply the human community; others saw in it an element political organization. It is interesting that some saw in civil society a source of support for the existing political system, while others are the focus of the opposition. Thus, in the Anglo-Saxon world, civil society and the state were usually considered complementary, rather than hostile, forces, which is why the concept of civil society lost its specific meaning there. In many European countries, civil society was understood as a source of opposition to the state, since there the activities of the state were reduced to the latter’s intervention in the private and corporate lives of citizens.

In both cases, civil societies are characterized by three features. First, the presence of multiple associations or, more generally, centers of social power. In this sense, civil society is incompatible with a rigid, autocratic state machine. Secondly, the relative independence of these centers of social power. Because of their ability to self-organize, these centers of power resist state control. And thirdly, a sense of civic responsibility, as well as civilized behavior and active citizenship, are all necessary elements of a truly civil society.

One of the most important differences between countries reveals the answer to the question: which came first - the state or civil society? In the United States, civil society clearly preceded the state. The point of the Federalist articles was to justify at least the minimal elements of the federal, i.e. central, board. In England, too, civil society arose before there was an effective central government. This is also true for some other European countries, such as Switzerland. However, in other countries, especially France and Spain, and later Portugal, the state took root first, and civil society had to win its rights in the fight against a state that did not want to give up power, albeit sometimes an enlightened one.

Lord Dahrendorf

a society consisting of independent, self-sufficient individuals with fundamental rights and freedoms; a system of voluntary, self-governing communities of people created to achieve their own goals and interests, realize their abilities and talents: family, economic associations, professional, sports, creative, religious unions and associations, etc.

Civil relations include the sphere of non-commercial life: family-related, community, educational, religious, moral, commodity-money, etc., connecting people through joint activities to satisfy material and spiritual needs.

G.O. complements the hierarchical power relations approved by the state with horizontal relations operating on the basis of the principle of self-regulation.

G.O. – a society of pluralism in the economy (multiformity, variety of forms of ownership), politics (multi-party system, competitive elections), spiritual life (freedom of speech, conscience, religion).

Excellent definition

Incomplete definition ↓

CIVIL SOCIETY

includes the entire set of non-political relations in society, that is, economic, spiritual and moral, family and everyday life, religious, demographic, national, etc. Thus, G.o. a multidimensional, self-organizing system, intermediate between the family and the state; it is a naturally developing social, non-political relationship between individuals. In the system of civil society, everyone acts not as a subject of the state, but as a private person who has his own special, different from the general state, life goals. In the formal-structural aspect, G.o. is a set of voluntary associations, unions, organizations that allow individuals to communicate on the basis of similar spiritual and practical interests. It does not allow citizens to become like scatterings of autonomous atoms and offers many forms of social cooperation and encourages various manifestations of human solidarity. G.o. - a rather late historical formation, characteristic of Western civilization of the New Age. Its emergence presupposed two main conditions - the transition of the traditional feudal society in the industrial phase of development and the emergence of mass generations of emancipated citizens, aware of the inalienability of their natural rights. Carrying out social initiatives coming from below, G.O. ensures self-regulation processes within the civilizational system. It complements the vertical power relations established by the state with horizontal relations operating on the basis of the principle of self-regulation. The state and the individual, which at first seem to be incomparable social values, in the presence of a developed G.o. acquire value equality. Without encouraging either statist arbitrariness or legal nihilism of individuals, G.O. contributes to the strengthening of social order, imparts to it such a quality as civilization. Therefore, G.o. this is the sphere of self-manifestation and self-development of the interests of free individuals, as well as voluntarily formed associations, non-governmental organizations citizens In democratic countries, civil society is protected by necessary laws from direct intervention, control and arbitrary regulation by government authorities. Today civil society is one of the central categories social philosophy, denoting that part of social life in which the non-state and most active economic, social, spiritual life of people is concentrated and in which their “natural” rights and freedoms are realized, the equality of different subjects of activity, especially in the market space, where all participants, regardless of any differences enter into free and equal relations with each other. From this point of view, civil society is opposed to the state, whose task is to resolve conflicts between subjects of civil society by political (or in extreme situations - military) means and ensure its normal functioning.

The concept of civil society was formed in the course of the development of world political thought. The first clear ideas about civil society were expressed by N. Machiavelli, T. Hobbes and J. Locke. The ideas of natural rights as a model of the status and moral equality of people, as well as the social contract as a way to control the achievement of agreement, formed the basis of the modern understanding of civil society.

The creation of civil society presupposed the liberation privacy, family and business from the control of the state. At the same time, the individual received freedom of religion; everyday life came out from under political tutelage; individual interest, especially in matters of private property and commercial activity, received support from the law. The presence of a mature civil society means respect for inalienable natural human rights and recognition of their moral equality. The central question became the ratio “ sovereign state"to the "sovereign people", representing the legitimate basis of state power. The system of checks and balances ensured that a balance was found between the branches of government, between society and the state, freedom and responsibility, force and law. The state was not simply expelled from private life, the economy, and spiritual life, but, on the contrary, it was placed under control by society, which was exercised, in particular, on the issue of the ability of the authorities to ensure the security of these spheres and their freedom, to suppress any claims even through legitimate violence, to exert influence on They are also under pressure from non-state structures, for example, criminals, monopolies, etc.

The idea of ​​building a civil society belongs to the liberal thought of the 18th century, which did not yet separate civil liberties from problems of morality and social equality. Later, the concept of civil society retains a positive attitude towards the freedoms of citizens, their rights and responsibilities in relation to the state. The state, for its part, is interpreted as expressing the interests of citizens. Civil society includes the separation of public and private spheres and at the same time their interaction. Based on this principle, women were involved in the public sphere, although previously only men were understood as an autonomous and responsible individual.

Today, Western social theories have a set of empirical features without which a society cannot be called good. The concept " good society"(Good Society) is based on the idea of ​​civil society and expands its boundaries. The "good society" is not a reality, but a theoretical tool for analyzing the achievements of humanity in social sphere and their conceptualization at the level of empirical generalizations. The essential features include: freedom and human rights, a person’s ability to be responsible in freedom, to strive not only for negative freedom - freedom “from” (coercion, dependence), but also for positive freedom - freedom “for” (self-realization, implementation of one’s plans , setting social goals, etc.); the achievability of a minimum of social and natural benefits; presence of social order. Civil society has this order. A classic term in philosophy, political science and legal science until the 60s. 20th century meant a society that is capable of bringing the state under control. In the 60s lawyer R. Neider organized a consumer protection society and made a theoretical expansion of this concept. This is a society that is capable of bringing under control not only the state, but also wealth. Similar attempts had been made before in Wilson's antitrust legislation and in antitrust policy, but were not conceptualized in terms of civil society. Before the proclamation of this idea, there was a popular phrase in America: “What is good for General Motors is good for America.” R. Neider questioned this thesis. Despite the fact that society cannot exist without the state as a body of legitimate violence, it is taken under control in civil society. The same should happen with corporations. In this new doctrine, which up to certain limits (through the legal service of the consumer society, bureau best service, consumer courts, etc.) operates in the USA, taking into account not only civil liberties and individual rights, but also economic rights, which in classical liberalism refer rather to goods.

Lit.: Modern liberalism. M., 1998; Held D. Models of Democracy. Stanford, 1987; Held D. Prospects for Democracy. North, South, East, West. Stanford, 1993; Isaac K. Citizens for Democracy. Wash., 1992; Liberalism and the Good, ed. by R. B. Douglass, G. M. Mare, N. S. Richardson. N.Y.-L., 1990; PelcynskiZ. A. The State and Civil Society. N.U., 1984.

Excellent definition

Incomplete definition ↓