Civil Society

This course explores the concept of civil society as a critical component of political and social life. Students will examine the theoretical foundations of civil society, its historical evolution, and its role in democracy, governance, and development. The course will also address contemporary challenges to civil society in the context of globalization, populism, and digital transformation. Case studies will provide insights into how civil society operates in different political and cultural contexts.

The course is designed as a seminar with lectures and seminars. It will explore the history of the concept civil society and contemporary case studies. The Seminar will introduce the students to the key concepts and frameworks for understanding of the concept. We will discuss the genealogy and its various meaning of contemporary definitions. We will examine the ability to apply different theoretical concepts to the contemporary case studies in different parts of the world. Especially we focus our attention on transnational activism – human right, Occupy Street Matters, Black Live Matters, climate change movements, Arab Spring movements, etc. During the course will also discuss the challenges for civil society in the global level as well as in social media. One of the aim of the course will be also to equip students with the background and tools to contribute original research.

1. The Multiple Meanings of Civil Society – lecture

2. Social Theories and Civil Society – functional and conflict theories

3. History of the concept Civil Society

4. Civil Society in Europe

5. Robert Putnam concept of Civil Society - Making Democracy and Bowling Alone

Alexis de Tocqueville, Social Capital and Civil Society

6. Anti – Politics – CEE Europe/ Solidarity Movement Poland 1980-

7. Political Engagement as kind of civil society

8. Local and regional response /paradiplomacy– Opole case study, Racibórz case study/

9. Global civil society – case studies

10. New Transnational Activism – case studies /Human Rights, Environmental, Climate Changes, Energy Issues, Peace/

11. Digital turn in Global Civil Society – the role of social media

12. Business and Civil Society – the role of CSR, INGO and TNC’s Foundations

13. The Future of Global Civil Society

• Michael Edwards, Civil Society (Polity, latest edition).

• John Keane, Civil Society: Old Images, New Visions (Stanford University Press).

Additional Readings:

• Mary Kaldor, Global Civil Society: An Answer to War (Polity).

• Sidney Tarrow, Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics (Cambridge University Press).

• Larry Diamond, Developing Democracy: Toward Consolidation (Johns Hopkins University Press).

• Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks (International Publishers).

Articles and Reports:

• CIVICUS, State of Civil Society Reports (annual editions).

• OECD, Framework for CSO Development Effectiveness.

________________________________________

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Define and critically assess the concept of civil society and its evolution across historical and cultural contexts.

2. Analyze the relationship between civil society, the state, and the market.

3. Evaluate the role of civil society in democracy, governance, and public policy.

4. Apply key theoretical frameworks to contemporary challenges facing civil society, including globalization, digital activism, and shrinking civic space.

5. Conduct case study analyses of civil society organizations (CSOs) in various regions and evaluate their impact.

6. Develop informed perspectives on the role of civil society in promoting social justice, human rights, and sustainable development.

presentation - content, research qurstions, hypothesis,

essay - content, logic of argumentation, references to the literature

-