In the social sciences, the concepts of “human society” and “civil society” are not identical. If human society is the totality of all people at all stages of its existence, then civil society is a society of people who are aware of themselves as individuals, standing at a certain stage of historical development. Such a society can be considered the socio-economic basis for the state, which is built on a democratic legal basis.
Society and its functions
A conscious society is characterized by the fulfillment of its functions and responsibilities. The functions of a society called civil are expressed in solving such problems:
- The development of norms and values in various areas of life, which are then enshrined in law by the state.
- Creating an intra-community environment in which each individual gets the opportunity to develop as a socially competent person.
- The functions of society are realized in the ability to provide each individual person with free development in the economic sphere. Here, various forms of ownership should be taken into account , based on the multi-stage structure of a market economy. Any of its segments, one way or another connected with the public interest, cannot be ignored.
- The functions of society include the regulation of relations between individuals, various groups and communities on the basis of acts and provisions of civil law. This allows you to avoid or stop the possibility of conflict situations or solve them in a civilized legal way. In addition, the socio-political interests of society as a whole are thus developed.
- As mandatory in the function of society comprehensive support and protection of the key interests of each individual is included. This refers, first of all, to such fundamental human rights as the right to life, freedom, a dignified existence. To ensure them, special mechanisms are developed in society and their precise functioning is debugged.
- The functions of civil society presuppose the existence and implementation of the principles of self-government in various spheres of public life and at all its levels.
What is a developed civil society?
Civil society, which is at a high stage of development, is realizing itself not only in the social, but also in the political sphere. Taken together, they mean the family, political and social organizations, movements, directions, self-government bodies at the places of residence and work, the functioning of mass media independent of the state. The functions of the political system of society are to conduct a dialogue between public authorities and the people and to observe the first interests of citizens in the sphere of the country's foreign and domestic policy , and the second - in supporting government decisions at all levels.
The spiritual sphere of a developed civil society is aimed at creative and scientific independence, the independence of public entities from the state.