Civil society

The Free Liberal
by Fred E. Foldvary

01/03/06

Civil society has three elements. First is the commercial element, the spontaneous order of an exchange economy, the market for goods and the factors of production. Second is the benevolent element, charitable donations. Third is voluntary association, the creation and organization of clubs, mutual-aid societies, and families. These elements are not distinct, but intertwine like strings in a fabric. The contrast to civil society is imposed government. Government is non-civil because it uses coercion to accomplish its ends...

http://www.freeliberal.com/archives/001766.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp