How Global Can Civil Society Be?

The economic, social, cultural, political, and legal effects of globalization, especially since the 1980s, driven by developments in communication technologies, have popularized various concepts. In this article, I aim to determine the future role of global civil society by drawing on lessons learned from history. First and foremost, the concept of "global civil society" can be described in various ways. As previously mentioned, global civil society emerges as a result of globalization processes. Civil society has evolved on a global scale and has also contributed to the advancement of democracy and freedoms at the local level. Globalization is a pivotal concept for understanding "civil society" as it has played a significant role in the resurgence of "liberalism." Initially, the concept of "civil society" is contentious, but it gains importance in the context of different historical periods, countries, ideologies, and various academic disciplines. Global civil society activists hold a vital position within global civil society due to their close ties to human rights, democracy, and environmental issues, all of which are critical and significant factors in today's world.

Civil Society

The emergence of civil society, its influence on the state sphere, and its evolution in the civil sphere are long-standing, historical, and complex processes. The concept of civil society has different meanings in different periods of history. Throughout the history of political thought, various philosophers have explored the concepts of civil society and the state. From the past to the present, numerous philosophers have offered diverse perspectives on "Civil Society," including notable figures such as Thomas Hobbes, J.J. Rousseau, John Locke, Thomas Paine, Hegel, Marx, and Gramsci, among others. These philosophers have had significant implications for the international order and the understanding of civil society.

There are four important stages to consider:

Hobbes followed Aristotle's definition of the state and expressed pessimism about human nature. In the state of nature, there is no central authority, police, or laws. Everyone is equal in their desires, and all are free and entitled to everything, similar to others. Hobbes's most famous work, "Leviathan," likens rulers, governments, and the state to a "monster," drawing an allusion to the Leviathan sea monster mentioned in the Bible. This reference symbolizes the ruler under civil government. Rousseau, on the other hand, argued that human life in the state of nature is not much different from that of animals, primarily focused on finding food, drink, and shelter. Rousseau introduced the concept of "general will" as the passage from the natural to the civil state transforms human behavior by substituting justice for instinct. Natural liberty, where individuals freely follow their physical impulses, transitions into civil liberty, characterized by acting by the general will, where "by giving himself to all, the person gives himself to no one."

John Locke emphasized freedom as the most fundamental right and argued that society precedes government. In the state of nature, there is freedom, but there is no anarchy. This leads to the establishment of a "Social Contract" within society. Locke also distinguished between civil society and the state, with the state's role being primarily protective. Thomas Paine similarly saw the state as a potential threat to civil liberties and made a clear distinction between civil society and the state, with civil society representing the general will and the state emerging as a product of human frailty.

Hegel made significant contributions to political theory, emphasizing "freedom" as a central concept. According to Hegel, politics, as a part of the Idea system, aims to achieve ethical life. Civil society and the state represent stations of ethical life, actualizing in a dialectical form. Hegel's philosophers aimed to understand the historical movement and align existing institutions and social forms with the teleological movement of history. In Marx's framework, civil society constitutes the lower structure, while the state serves as the upper body. Gramsci, unlike Marx, did not limit civil society solely to economic activities.

Tocqueville is an important figure to mention in this context. He advocated for minimizing state control and held liberal views. Drawing on American society as an example, Tocqueville argued that in a society without aristocracy, civil society, comprised of individuals with equal political and legal status, can resolve its issues through these institutions.

Highlighting the historical and cultural specificity of the concept of civil society, some scholars argue that it is a unique product of Europe, making its application to non-European contexts, particularly in Muslim societies, problematic due to the absence of necessary preconditions. However, the events of September 11, 2001, marked a critical shift in perspective toward Muslim countries and became a pivotal moment for non-governmental organizations. Additionally, it's essential to acknowledge the "third sector," "social sector," or "volunteer and" within civil society, encompassing a wide range of causes, groups, unions, and NGOs. Civil society engages approximately 54 million full-time workers globally and boasts a volunteer force exceeding 350 million people worldwide.

Global Civil Society

The most significant transformation in the world system since the 1980s is undeniably "globalization." This phenomenon is intricately linked with the process of capitalism. In the course of capitalism, "liberalism" has played a pivotal role, as trends like modernization, the free market, and individual liberty have brought human needs to a complex juncture. Neo-Marxist theory is a crucial and critical concept for understanding global civil society. Global civil society emerged prominently in the 1990s, with its origins traced back to the 1992 "Earth Summit in Rio," where it played a central role in negotiations involving approximately 2,400 representatives of NGOs, primarily focusing on environmental issues.

In 1997, the "International Campaign to Ban Landmines" was launched, and its representative, Jody Williams, was subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The campaign's objectives included mine clearance, prevention of stockpiling, and sales prevention. Another pivotal year was 1998, with the establishment of the International Criminal Court. The "Battle for Seattle" in 1999 drew the participation of numerous civil society activists, addressing two main issues: first, the financial governance of the world, and second, how civil society, for the first time, targeted international governance and management.

Global civil society's central themes encompass injustice, inequality, and environmental concerns. Within this context, global civil society and its actors play a significant role. Global civil society can be divided into two perspectives: "public" and "general interest," closely related to Rousseau's concept of "Common Interest and General Will."

Two primary challenges confront global civil society:

Representativeness and Accountability: This challenge stems from the lack of realistic representation within global civil society, raising issues of equality. Accountability is problematic, and to address it, the affected people should have the capacity to evaluate it.

Norm Setting: This pertains to agreements on human rights. The Helsinki Agreement of 1985 serves as an essential model in this regard, forming the basis for subsequent human rights agreements. A notable example of a human rights violation is the Rwandan Genocide, where determining the perpetrators of violence proved difficult.

How Global Can Global Civil Society Be?

Organizations like Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and the International Labor Organization exemplify global civil society organizations. The rise of global civil society has gained prominence since the 1980s, with significant developments occurring in 1992, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Several global issues have emerged, including environmental problems, nuclear threats, local-regional conflicts, drug trafficking, immigration, human trafficking, epidemic diseases (e.g., AIDS), and terrorism. These core issues have assumed critical importance for global civil societies in tandem with globalization. Global civil society organizations have played key roles in agenda-setting, international law-making, diplomacy, and the implementation and monitoring of crucial global matters.

Conclusion

Especially since the 1980s, global civil society and the phenomenon of globalization have influenced all subsystems of the social system. These developments have brought about significant changes in economic, social, political, and cultural realms. Concurrently, capitalism and the globalization of the economy have diminished socialist alternatives and rekindled interest in liberal policies, resulting in the resurgence of neoliberalism. In its broadest sense, neoliberalism represents a modern incarnation of classical liberal thought and liberalization. Consequently, global civil society has transformed and evolved over time. Its significance has surged at the international level and across various platforms.

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