Democracy: A Reader

Edited by Ricardo Blaug and Schwarzmantel

Edinburgh University Press
on
CIVIL SOCIETY
Introduction
'The concept of civil society has recently regained importance as a central focus of debate in
democratic theory and practice.'
The term originated from around the 1700s.
The term was used by theorists of the Scottish Enlightenment like Adam Ferguson in his essay on the
History of Civil Society of 1767.
He defined it as 'an individualist market society, marked by the devotion of individuals to productive
and trading activities rather than the warlike marauding the characteristic of pre-modern social
formations'.
However, there is a change to both concept and usage of civil society recently. In an extract from
Cohen and Arato, it :
'means an area of public activity distinct from both the state and the market'.
'involves a range of groups and associations, including families.
is 'essential for a healthy and democratic society.' Why? 'It permits participation and communicative
interaction of individuals.
It is a supplementary to the political institutions of representative democracy and not a replacement
of such.
E.g.
Cohen and Arato found that 'de Tocqueville, who in his study of Democracy I America saw an
active associational life as the hallmark of democratic society.'
'Putnam suggests that the associations of civil society can create 'social capital', a set of social
practices which involve civic engagement and ideas of reciprocity.'
Effect: 'a network of civic involvement is necessary for an effective democracy.'
Counter-argument: 'Putnam: 'present-day American society is characterised by a reduction in citizens'
activity in these associations, with a possible consequent decline in the quality of American democracy.'
Hirst presents a vision of voluntary organisations which could voluntary organisations which would
be the primary bases for democracy. A model democracy: 'self-governing associations would perform
public functions, hence reducing burden on, and the power of, the central state.
Supplement to representative democracy = a society in which it is through those groups rather than

through centralised state that democracy is primarily achieved.

A self-governing civil society is the primary factor, the state becomes secondary in importance, with its
main task supervising and regulating vokuntary associations of civil society.
Civil society: The basis for citizen involvement and participation, and also viewed
Is democracy sustainable through civil society?

Despite the concept of civil society being curated by modern theorists as perfect for democracy...
it may pose problems / be harmful to democracy. How?
'this depends upon the internal structure and degree of democracy which prevails in the groups that
make up civil society. These groups ight themselves be subject to elitist or oligarchic tendencies, noted
by some of the elite theorists cited in Part 2 above.'
' in some of its manifestations civil society can take highly 'uncivil' forms. They can develop an
intense sense of of particularity and loyalty to their own association . assist some tendencies hostile
to democracy, emphasising partial loyaltues (ethno-nationalism or cultural particularism) which might
undermine a sense of common civic identification.
Jean L. Cohen and Andrew Arato,
Civil Society and Political Theory

Robert D. Putnam,
Bowling Alone

Paul Hirst,
Associative Principles and Democratic Reform