Civil Society: Overlapping Frames

Abstract

The social sciences are bedeviled by terminological promiscuity. Terms and phrases are used at one time in a certain context and later borrowed and applied in different circumstances to somewhat different phenomena. Sometimes different groups of actors or researchers simultaneously use the same term with somewhat different meanings. Such is the use of the term civil society. In this 5th Anniversary of the Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, it is timely to trace the evolution of the idea of civil society to its multiple guises in the present. The paper reviews the term’s 18th and 19th century roots, its recent resurrection and the opposing views of civil society, including views that question its applicability to non-western settings. It then discusses prospects for developing agreed approaches to the study of civil society. To guide our thinking the paper presents a brief overview of different approaches to defining civil society taken by some of the major so-called centres for civil society in Australia and internationally. The paper concludes by reflecting on these definitional challenges as it has played out at one particular cross faculty research centre, the University of Technology, Sydney’s Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Research Centre.

International Conference Socioecos 2024

“…In its broad sense, civil society refers to the sphere of social life that distinguishes itself from state institutions and governmental bodies. Simultaneously, it serves as a link between these institutions and the social sphere (Dalton, 2014;Van Dijck, 2017). Its overarching goal is to enhance the quality of public life by advocating for positive change and influencing decision-making processes (Gemmill and Bamidele-Izu, 2001).…”

“…At this level, civil society is contingent on individuals and the roles they perform in evaluating and criticizing mechanisms of action and working at different levels to promote justice by subjecting the "uncivil" space to civil space and demanding reforms, as well as monitoring their implementation (Kaldor, 2003). Civil society opposes political society and the world of economic production or the market system because it allows individuals to work together to create a public sphere that defends individuals' interests through voluntary associations, social movements, and unions (Dalton, 2014).…”

Disputes over Coal Mining and Gas Drilling in an Australian Country Town

“…While the paper studies what is often called 'civil society' it does not define 'civil society,' or even use the term much, as the reality is too fluid (Dalton 2014). 'Civil Society' can be taken as a process which intersects with the state, but is largely separate and can be informal.…”