The State, Civil Society and Democracy: A Note

Civil society in the present context is being increasingly relied upon by people for a responsive and performing democratic governance, but it always functions within the state and has a certain degree of autonomy. Civil society depends on the presence of social capital in the society. Communitarian spirit is fostered by social capital. The paper presents the liberal version of civil society, particularly DeTocqueville's, and also the Marxian criticism to it. It looks at the civil society from a society-centredperspective and its necessity in modern day governance. Revitalisation of civil society reinforces the State and facilitates the achievement of common good.