We realise there are many definitions of civil society. The working definition of civil society used to inform the work of the Inquiry has three dimensions:
- Civil Society as associational life. Civil society is the ‘space’ of organised activity not undertaken by either the government or for-private-profit business. It includes formal and informal associations such as: voluntary and community organisations, trade unions, faith-based organisations, co-operatives and mutuals, political parties, professional and business associations, philanthropic organisations, informal citizen groups and social movements. Participation in or membership of such organisations is voluntary in nature.
- Civil Society as the ‘good’ society. The term civil society is often used as a short-hand for the type of society we want to live in and can therefore viewed in normative terms. It is often assumed that civil society is a good thing, but this is not necessarily true. For example, civil society associations can help strengthen democracy and improve the well-being of deprived communities as can they undermine human rights and preach intolerance and violence. The Inquiry is therefore especially concerned about the strength of civil society associations as a means through which values and outcomes such as non-violence, non-discrimination, democracy, mutuality and social justice are nurtured and achieved; and as a means through which public policy dilemmas are resolved in ways that are just, effective and democratic. A 'good' civil society needs to have constructive relationships with government, statutory agencies, the business sector and media. The actions of civil society associations alone cannot achieve a 'good' civil society.
- Civil Society as arenas for public deliberation. Civil society is an arena for public deliberation and the exercise of active citizenship in pursuit of common interests. It is the public space in which societal differences, social problems, public policy, government action and matters of community and cultural identity are developed and debated. These public spaces might be physical in nature, such as community centres, or virtual, such as blogs. We may never share a common vision about what a ‘good’ society might look like and how it might be achieved, but can be committed to a process that allows people of all ages and backgrounds to share in defining how the different visions are reconciled.
To summarise, civil society is a goal to aim for (a 'good' society), a means to achieve it (associational life), and a framework for engaging with each other about ends and means (arenas for deliberation).