Concept

Civil society refers to the arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests, purposes and values. In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from those of the state, family and market, though in practice, the boundaries between state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred and negotiated. Civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power. Civil societies are often populated by organisations such as registered charities, development non-governmental organisations, community groups, women's organisations, faith-based organisations, professional associations, trades unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions and advocacy group.

The Centre for Civil Society (CCS)
Department of Social Policy,
London School of Economics

Civil society is an all-encompassing term often used to refer to social structures and interests beyond the household and outside state institutions, including voluntary associations and non-profit organisations where people combine for their collective interests. These voluntary associations draw from community, neighbourhood, work and other connections. Civil society includes social movements or community based organizations where people come together to advance their interests. The term is not commonly used in Australia, but in Europe and elsewhere it is strongly identified with the collective interests of citizens beyond the operation of government.

The Centre for Community Networking Research,
Caulfield School of Information Technology,
Monash University