The author analyses the connections between social developments and the evolution of the theory of civil society (CS) (classical background, semantic shifts, re-emergence and open questions regarding future research). He distinguishes four layers of meanings of CS but focuses on selected research areas of CS qua associations (third sector, social capital, public sphere, civility). The aim is to provide access points, and a frame of reference, for a wide debate on a problematic in flux.
Read also: La société civile – Un concept à plusieurs niveaux
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