CIVIL society-ans

civil society
i think the roles /pros and cons need to b emphasized like

some articles frm IJPA on civil soiety' role as

1. Agitator

2.watchdog

3.mobiliser

4.Educator

with analysis and ways to enhance socila capital

The civil society is Uncivil". Comment


row over who has the right to claim membership of civil society and the moral high ground. people in CS publicly deriding each other like Agnivesh vs Ramdev.
Cause- pro naxal as well as anti naxal, both under CS banner
way of protest-- prolonged fast, strikes,pressure groups
people- tainted people like shanti bhushan, Politically motivated like ramdev,
Aruna Roy & CS filled NAC working for establishment to promote govt's and not people's agenda.

Civil society in India

partha chattarjee says western notion of CS does'nt fit in 3rd world/India because state in India is less extensive than that in western countries. withdrawal of state is not desirable in India as per him.

During colonial role, activities of christian missionaries in providing health,edu etc was viewed as first voluntary action in India. However Rajani Kothari says voluntarism is the essence of Indian civilisation. Present interest in voluntary action is nothing but going back to the native Indian tradition of social life voluntarily managed by the community.

Socio religious movements in 19th century like Arya Samaj etc , gandhian reconstruction programme like Bhudan in 20th century are ex of working of CS.

contemporary ind scene-- Starting with Narmada bachao Andolan, MKSS, PUCL to RTI, anti corruption movement

as approved by many scholars , withdrawal of state not reco even in the era of LPG,
because of the greater need of equity and social justice which can be fulfilled largely by state. CS can have a supplementary role in dpt process as well as bulwork against authrity of state.


1.Modern notion of civil soc , firstly by Hegel in Philosophy of rights, Middle stage b/w state and family, State- universal values, CS- particularistic,

liberal thinkers like J.S.Mill and Alex de Tocqueville - domain of social associations ,bulwork against the excess powers of the state,

liberal tradition- without active CS, state may develop authritarian tendencies (They were quite right, is'nt it)

Marxist tradition--CS serves the interests of capitalist class.

Neo Marxist like Gramsci--Hegemonistic CS is the reason why revolution not taking place in a capitalistic society.

Social capital approach--Robert Putnam ,utility of social capital i.e CS in a democratic state

New communitarial approach--Amitai Etzioni-- balance b/w community and state is must


Contemporary context-- CS is the sphere b/w market and state , facilitator of participatory process of democracy and dpt.

Civil society def by S.H.Rudolf

A minimal def would include the idea of a non state autonomous sphere, empowerment of citizens,trust building associational life, interaction with, rather than subordination to state.

Features-- 1.discussion rather than control 2. outside prescribed channels of state. 3.autonomous third sector 4. though NGO the major constituents but not the entire gamut 5.common public good 6. voluntarism not coercion 7. advocates plurism and opposes totalitarianism 8. freedom of association and spirit of cooperation