‘Civil society’ has become a crucial part of political discourse, practice and funding in the last two decades. It features prominently in international organisations such as the World Bank and the United Nations, as well as the manifestos of political parties – particularly the Conservative Party under David Cameron. Civil society has been a persistent theme in social and political philosophy from the 18th century, but its current popularity dates from the early 1980s. Since the rise of neoliberalism, the idea of civil society has had considerable success in establishing the thesis that ‘state-centred’ models of economy and society have failed, and that, consequently, there is need to distribute what used to be state functions to markets and ‘civil society’. NGOs, citizens’ groups and community organizations as concrete forms of ‘civil society’ are now considered, by both Labour and Conservatives, to be better deliverers of services previously provided by the welfare state.
However, civil society is also a concept which is championed by activists challenging neoliberalism from the left. Grassroots activists and supporting NGOs, have demanded reinvestment in the welfare state. These campaigns include anti-austerity groups, trade unions and more recently, campaigns challenging the cost of living crisis. In many cases, civil society organisations also agitate for radical social change, such as the Occupy Movement, Black Lives Matter, Sisters Uncut and Extinction Rebellion.
However, civil society is also a concept which is championed by activists challenging neoliberalism from the left. Grassroots activists and supporting NGOs, have demanded reinvestment in the welfare state. These campaigns include anti-austerity groups, trade unions and more recently, campaigns challenging the cost of living crisis. In many cases, civil society organisations also agitate for radical social change, such as the Occupy Movement, Black Lives Matter, Sisters Uncut and Extinction Rebellion.
