Civil society

Civil society or civil institutions are the total of civic and social organizations or institutions that form the bedrock of a functioning democracy. The term refers to the multitude of non-profit, organized groups, clubs and associations in society that operate independently from government and the state, often on a voluntary basis. Civil society groups advocate and take action primarily for social development and public interest. Examples of civil institutions:

• non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
• peoples’ organizations;
• civic clubs;
• trade unions;
• gender, cultural, and religious groups;
• charities;
• social and sports clubs;
• cooperatives;
• environmental groups;
• professional associations;
• academia;
• policy institutions;
• consumers/consumer organizations;
• the media.

The term is currently often used by critics and activists as a reference to sources of resistance to and the domain of social life which needs to be protected against globalization.