Alexis de Tocqueville and Civil Society

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Alexis de Tocqueville and Civil Society
Lecture by Dr
Christopher Kollmeyer
20 Feb 2007 SO4530
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What is Civil Society?

• Concept coined by Adam Ferguson.
• Scottish philosopher.
• Key work An Essay of the History of Civil
  Society (1767)
• Brief definition a network of civic groups that
  indirectly constitute independent sources of
  power within society.

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European Feudal Order
Monarchy
Economy
Church
Subjects
Subjects
Subjects
Subjects
Subjects
Subjects
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Liberalism and Civil Society
State
Economy
Civil Society
Citizen
Citizen
Citizen
Citizen
Citizen
Citizen
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Further Aspects of Civil Society

• What Civil Society is Not.
• State --Big Business --Family
• People may join or leave freely (voluntary
  associations)
• Associations goals and structures determined by
  its members
• Political importance mediates between individual
  and societys official sources of power
• Sociological importance links people to society
  (social capital)
• Examples churches, political parties, labor
  unions, professional organizations, environmental
  groups, parent-teacher associations, community
  groups, etc.