World Bank defines civil society as an array of organizations that are seen as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charitable trusts, religion-based organizations, community groups, professional associations, and foundations, etc. While the democratization of society can be understood as the expansion of values of democracy such as liberty, equality, fraternity, justice, human dignity, etc. It also refers to the transfer of real power from being centralized at the top with the state or king to the people. As Lincoln has put it, “Democracy is the rule of the people, by the people and for the people.”

In this essay, we will analyze what all civil society can do to democratize society, what are the challenges in doing so, and how do we overcome challenges to attain our goals. Although civil society is seen as something that has developed in recent years (post-World War 2), it has deep roots. For example, with EIC in India, European missionaries aimed to civilize society and provide education and health benefits to the people of the nation.

Similarly, Indian institutions like Arya Samaj & Dayanand Saraswati, Brahmo Samaj, if Raja Rammohan Roy acted as civil society and helped the country get rid of many superfluous practices, most notably Sati. In present times, civil society has expanded to various roles, especially since the 1991 reforms in India, post which the state rolled back, providing operating space to various organizations.

For the democratization of society, it is imperative to bring democratic values and rights to various sections of societies, such as women, children, transgender, old, disabled, etc. Civil society can start from here. The position of women in India is very deleterious. India ranks 140 out of 156 countries in gender inequality index (WEF). Civil society can work towards bringing parity to them. For example, NGOs such as Saheli, Manushi, etc., have helped to improve reproductive health consciousness among women. NGOs like SEWA worked for economic empowerment, further ADR, CDS – Lokniti pusher for electoral reform and greater representations to women.

Efforts of civil society have been a force behind the decriminalization of homosexuality (Navtej Johar case), by reading down of sec. 377 of IPC. Further, the movement should be towards helping them with funds, technical support, along with moral support to gain civil rights such as marriage and adoption.

NGOs like Narmada Bachao and ‘hug the tree’ have helped to protect ecological sanctity and give voice to tribals who have been displaced due to development projects and need rehabilitation. Further, they can help to find alternative and viable livelihoods, along with aids to navigate bureaucratic jungles to receive their compensations.

In administration, civil society plays a significant role in bringing the voice of different sections of society and shaping inclusive policy. Further, they help in implementing and evolving various schemes by pointing out limitations and loopholes. Civil society can further play a more coordinated approach with administration by limiting dependency of service delivery on state organs and clubbing together public efforts at the local level to solve local problems along with help and guidance of administration, as has been observed during the COVID pandemic mark distribution, food for old/disabled, migrant management etc.

To improve democracy in global society, civil society plays an effective role as Track II diplomats. It helps to reduce tension between nations through informal channels and to build over gains by formal channels. E.g., Indian diaspora lobby in the USA played an effective role in the finalization of the 123-civil Nuclear deal. Civil society can also leverage its deep connections with corporate political groups etc to effectively use CSR funds in gap areas, where government alone is having limited success to solve issues e.g. cleaning of Ganga, Air pollution management, disaster management etc.

However, civil society in recent times has also come under scanner for promoting undemocratic practices. The close links between many MNCs and NGOs have been exploited for money laundering and tax evasion strategies. Many NGOs have been blamed for scuttling developmental work in developing nations at the behest of their funding organizations or countries e.g., Kundakulam protests against nuclear energy.

In many Latin American and African nations, owing to their big budgets and influence in decision making, civil society has also been accused of bringing down governments, very often unethically and undemocratically. Further, communal groups and identity-based organizations have been a face/force behind instability in the form of mob lynching, caste violence, sons of soil type movements etc.

Globalization has also given birth to transnational uncivil society such as terror groups or their overground proxy organization. These organizations very often play a role to influence public perception and radicalize youth.

Owing to these reasons, India has recently cracked down on NGOs and put greater regulations on funding access and me. Further, there have been cases of outlaw some organizations found to be directly linked with Anti-India forces.

Now, seeing both constructive and potent destructive roles of civil society for the democratization of society, it is imperative to do some well-founded regulations on them. For global NGOs and trusts, there could be a UN-backed governance model as proposed by ex-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Civil society organizations should from their side suo-moto publish their account books to maintain transparency and gain the trust of both people and government. Further, nations should make legal frameworks for civil society to work freely without obstructions, if they oblige to the rules of the land.

In the 21st century, it is imperative that the state and civil society work hand in hand, to promote democratic principles from the bottom-up level. The need of the hour is for both state and civil society to respect each other’s role as per democratic principles. Civil society should oblige to the laws of the land and state to their constructive role in governance, thus helping civil society to democratize society.