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Politics & Government vocabulary · Policy and Public Debate

Civil society

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

nounCommon term

In politics & government, civil society means: The organizations and groups outside government and business through which citizens act together, such as charities, associations, unions and community groups.

In Turkish: sivil toplum

How it is used

Used in political science, development work and official reports. Governments consult civil society, and civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) take part in public debate. A strong civil society is often seen as a sign of a healthy democracy.

Example sentences

  1. The ministry invited civil society groups to comment on the draft law.

  2. Civil society played an important role in organizing help after the floods.

Common collocations

  • civil society organizations
  • consult civil society
  • a strong civil society
  • civil society groups
  • interest groupAn organized group, such as a trade union, business association or charity, that tries to influence government policy in favour of a particular cause or part of society.
  • grassrootsThe ordinary members and supporters of a party or movement, as opposed to its leaders; also activity that starts with local people rather than with leaders.
  • citizenA person who legally belongs to a country, has the rights it gives, such as voting, and has duties towards it, such as obeying its laws.
  • democracyA system of government in which power belongs to the people, who choose their leaders in free elections and can replace them; also a country governed in this way.

More terms: Policy and Public Debate

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