Debating Civil Society: Contested Conceptualizations and Development Trajectories

Abstract

The concept of civil society is back on the agenda. However, ambiguity still surrounds the concept. While there is no need to strive for a universal understanding of civil society, it is nevertheless essential to scrutinize the concept thoroughly, for what is understood by it defines largely what can be expected from it. This article conceptualizes civil society as an arena, a public space with blurred borders, where diverse societal values and interests interact. It argues for a framework that is better able to take into account the entire range of civil society actors, by placing less emphasis on organizational forms and a stronger focus on the functions and roles of informal associations, movements, and instances of collective citizen action.