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Civil Society

Civil society refers to voluntary organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests.  Civil societies are usually strong in liberal democracies where individual freedoms are valued.  Groups in civil society may be unpolitical, but they are important to the idea of freedom because they allow people to articulate and promote what is important to them.  By their very nature, authoritarian states do not encourage civil society, and the state often feels its power is threatened by it, though some organizations, such as the Russian Orthodox Church do survive.  In less developed or newly industrializing countries, individuals tend to be divided by ethnic, religious, economic, or social boundaries and do not identify with groups beyond their immediate surroundings.  However, the idea of a global civil society is emerging in the 21st century with the rise of human rights and environmental groups that take shape in the form of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  These groups are national and international organizations and are independent of any state.

Conditions that make a Civil Society Thrive:

  • Liberal
  • Democratic Process
  • Free/Fair Elections
  • Civil Rights/Liberties
  • Freedom of Speech, Liberty, Press
  • Rule of Law

Review Activity:

Divisions in society are called

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social cleavages

Ethnic cleavages are the most divisive and explosive social cleavages in countries at all levels of development.
True
False
Citizens within democracies generally relate to their governments differently than do citizens that are governed by authoritarian rulers.
True
False
Political efficacy is not a consideration when connecting citizens to their government.
False
True
One measurement of the political socialization of a country is how children learn about politics?
True
False

In ______________ ___________, types of subject activities involve obeying laws, following military orders, and paying taxes

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authoritarian regimes

 

A _____________ government operates with openness.

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transparent

Collective activities that aim to bring about or resist fundamental change in an existing group or society are called social movements.
True
False
The success of social movements varies from case to case, but even if they fail, they often influence political opinion.
True
False]

Groups in ________ ___________ may be unpolitical, but they allow people to articulate and promote what is important to them.

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civil society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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