Civil society organization: Difference between revisions
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'''Civil society organization''' is a somewhat ill-defined phrase that sometimes refers to [[nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] or [[nongovernmental organization]]s and sometimes refers to a much broader class of organizations important in the creation, operation or maintenance of civil society. | '''Civil society organization''' is a somewhat ill-defined phrase that sometimes refers to [[nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] or [[nongovernmental organization]]s and sometimes refers to a much broader class of organizations important in the creation, operation or maintenance of civil society. | ||
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[[Newspaper]]s, for example, are typically organized as for-profit businesses in many parts of the world. Yet few - particularly the newspapers themselves - would deny their important role in civil society. Likewise, 18th century London [[coffeehouse]]s were typically commercial operations and Parisian [[salon]]s ordinarily took place in the private homes of their aristocratic or noble sponsors. Yet, few would deny their status as seminally important civil society organizations. Similarly, educational institutions, regardless of whether they are public, commercial, nonprofit, family-owned, joint-stock corporations, or organized in some other manner would likewise be considered important civil society organizations by most authorities. The same could be said for religious organizations, labor unions, political parties, interest groups and trade associations, cooperatives, foundations, credit unions, and numerous other, similar organizations. | [[Newspaper]]s, for example, are typically organized as for-profit businesses in many parts of the world. Yet few - particularly the newspapers themselves - would deny their important role in civil society. Likewise, 18th century London [[coffeehouse]]s were typically commercial operations and Parisian [[salon]]s ordinarily took place in the private homes of their aristocratic or noble sponsors. Yet, few would deny their status as seminally important civil society organizations. Similarly, educational institutions, regardless of whether they are public, commercial, nonprofit, family-owned, joint-stock corporations, or organized in some other manner would likewise be considered important civil society organizations by most authorities. The same could be said for religious organizations, labor unions, political parties, interest groups and trade associations, cooperatives, foundations, credit unions, and numerous other, similar organizations. | ||
Revision as of 21:16, 21 November 2007
Civil society organization is a somewhat ill-defined phrase that sometimes refers to nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations and sometimes refers to a much broader class of organizations important in the creation, operation or maintenance of civil society.
Alexis de Tocqueville outlined the case for civil associations (a.k.a. voluntary associations as important civil society organizations in Democracy in America. In separate chapters, De Tocqueville's discussion differentiated civil from political associations and newspapers in particular.
Newspapers, for example, are typically organized as for-profit businesses in many parts of the world. Yet few - particularly the newspapers themselves - would deny their important role in civil society. Likewise, 18th century London coffeehouses were typically commercial operations and Parisian salons ordinarily took place in the private homes of their aristocratic or noble sponsors. Yet, few would deny their status as seminally important civil society organizations. Similarly, educational institutions, regardless of whether they are public, commercial, nonprofit, family-owned, joint-stock corporations, or organized in some other manner would likewise be considered important civil society organizations by most authorities. The same could be said for religious organizations, labor unions, political parties, interest groups and trade associations, cooperatives, foundations, credit unions, and numerous other, similar organizations.