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What is meant by "civil society" in this article?

by d_theorist 2y ago

swifthesitation 2y ago
civilians
nonameiguess 2y ago
It would appear the targets are all journalists. I think they're using this phrasing to denote that they're civilians.
- lupusreal 2y ago
  "Civil society" implies the existence of uncivil people; it's good guys vs bad guys, not civilian vs military. If Ukraine targeted civilian organizations in Russia, the headline wouldn't call it an attack on "civil society" (but Russian media might.)
  - samatman 2y ago
    > "Civil society" implies the existence of uncivil people It does not. You are conflating: civil 2b: adequate in courtesy and politeness : MANNERLY with civil 4: of, relating to, or involving the general public, their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as distinguished from special (such as military or religious) affairs https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil You can see that 'uncivil' does not include in its meanings an antonym of civil 4: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncivil https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncivil
    - lupusreal 2y ago
      You're being naive. Propaganda often employs double meanings, subtext and implications. This kind of language would not be used if the actors were reversed.
      - aaronblohowiak 2y ago
        Civil society as a term for “not government” goes waaaayyyyyy back.. I think you are mistaking a cloud for a ufo here..
        lupusreal 2y ago
        As a term for "not government", it would not be used to refer to civilians of a hostile nation.
mopsi 2y ago
Major public organizations and interest groups (such as the EFF, ACLU or AARP) that are independent from the state: Civil society can be understood as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business, and including the family and the private sphere. By other authors, civil society is used in the sense of 1) the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that advance the interests and will of citizens or 2) individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of the government. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society
praptak 2y ago
I believe Wikipedia has a good overview, in particular "the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that advance the interests and will of citizens" is probably the definition that best matches the one used in the article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society
eli_gottlieb 2y ago
NGOs.

What is meant by "civil society" in this article?

swifthesitation 2y ago

civilians

nonameiguess 2y ago

It would appear the targets are all journalists. I think they're using this phrasing to denote that they're civilians.

lupusreal 2y ago
"Civil society" implies the existence of uncivil people; it's good guys vs bad guys, not civilian vs military. If Ukraine targeted civilian organizations in Russia, the headline wouldn't call it an attack on "civil society" (but Russian media might.)
- samatman 2y ago
  > "Civil society" implies the existence of uncivil people It does not. You are conflating: civil 2b: adequate in courtesy and politeness : MANNERLY with civil 4: of, relating to, or involving the general public, their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as distinguished from special (such as military or religious) affairs https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil You can see that 'uncivil' does not include in its meanings an antonym of civil 4: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncivil https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncivil
  - lupusreal 2y ago
    You're being naive. Propaganda often employs double meanings, subtext and implications. This kind of language would not be used if the actors were reversed.
    - aaronblohowiak 2y ago
      Civil society as a term for “not government” goes waaaayyyyyy back.. I think you are mistaking a cloud for a ufo here..
      - lupusreal 2y ago
        As a term for "not government", it would not be used to refer to civilians of a hostile nation.

mopsi 2y ago

Major public organizations and interest groups (such as the EFF, ACLU or AARP) that are independent from the state: Civil society can be understood as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business, and including the family and the private sphere. By other authors, civil society is used in the sense of 1) the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that advance the interests and will of citizens or 2) individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of the government. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society

praptak 2y ago

I believe Wikipedia has a good overview, in particular "the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that advance the interests and will of citizens" is probably the definition that best matches the one used in the article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society

eli_gottlieb 2y ago

NGOs.