Tuesday, May 13, 2014

CIVIL SOCIETY: The Third Sector


CIVIL SOCIETY: The Third Sector
by Antonio C. Antonio
August 14, 2013


The term “Civil Society” is seemingly vague.  While some view it as anyone outside of the government, others look at it as a special concerned sector of volunteers on governmental issues.  There are several definitions of and worldviews on Civil Society:

1.     Civil Society is defined by “values” associated with “good society” which aims for social, economic and political progress;
2.     Civil Society is also defined as a space… the public sphere where debate and deliberation allows the negotiation of the common interest;
3.     Civil Society is an associational life that brings people together and allows civic values to develop;
4.     Civil Society is the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifests the interests and will of the populace; and,
5.     Civil Society is composed of individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of government.

One key element of a Civil Society is the spirit of “volunteerism.”  True and real civil society proponents are there and do what they do out of genuine concern and not for monetary or financial gains.  Anyone or any group trying to protect his of his group’s interest can hardly be called members of Civil Society.

As an actor in governance, Civil Society plays a critical role in the progress of human civilization and governance.  It could act as the conscience or the oversight sector of government.  By acting as the conscience, Civil Society can represent the populace/citizens in the formulation of development plans and programs.  On the other hand, Civil Society could also have oversight functions to make government realize if and when development plans and programs are not or were not carried out as originally intended.  Civil Society is also expected to echo the aspirations of the citizens.  While government is expected to cater to the needs of the citizens, Civil Society is also expected to make certain these needs are satisfied.

Media, the religious groups and local communities are also part of Civil Society so long as they imbibe the spirit of volunteerism which characterizes Civil Society.  As they are right now, media, the religious groups already play a role in the community and have different functions.  The primary function of media is to report events as they see them and not use their own personal biases.  Media can support Civil Society by calling a spade a spade and not get involved in “envelopmental” journalism… a term used for media men who are easily bought to mold public opinion in favor of interest groups or individuals.  Although the primary role of religion is to provide spiritual enlightenment to its devotees, the religious and clerics have also (in the past three decades) dipped their hands in the socio-political life of their flocks.  The Constitution provides for religious freedom and the separation of church and state.  This however, is not the reality.  The EDSA Revolution I was instigated by the Catholic authorities and EDSA Revolution II was agitated by the Iglesia Ni Cristo hierarchy.

Civil Society or the “Third Sector” membership is actually an open one.  “Open” in a sense that everyone and anyone who has an idea on “what to do” and “how to do” things can ventilate his/their ideas.  Again, the underlying consideration is the motivation behind these ideas… if it is for an individual or group interest, it is not acceptable.  Another element that should be highlighted is the spirit of volunteerism… if an individual is getting involved in local or national issues to advance his or his group’s interest is likewise not acceptable.

Just my little thoughts…

REFERENCES:

·         Civil Society (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society)


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