Manufactured Civil Society: Counting the Cost

Abstract

Since its election in 1997, the New Labour government has espoused the value of civil society. Civil society has become increasingly utilized in policy initiatives, especially in regard to regenerating communities and fighting social exclusion. In this regard, civil society, traditionally viewed as a sphere outside of the state, now finds itself engaged in various types of ‘partnerships’ with both the state and the business community. This has had the effect of redrawing the boundaries between civil society and the state. This article examines what I term ‘manufactured’ civil society; that is, groups that look like civil society, but are in fact a mixture of state/voluntary sector organizations. The article concludes that civil society pays a high price for involvement with the state.