Relative Autonomy of State and Civil Society

8/22/2019 Relative Autonomy of State and Civil Society

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The Relative Autonomies of State

and Civil Societyby: Chua Beng Huat


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Outline

Discusses the dynamics of State-Societyrelations in Singapore

Difference between civil and civic society

semantics and politics Concept of Civil Society

History of Civil Society in Singapore development of CS

constraints to CS


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Civil Society

Unit of Analysis: Singapore

1991, PAP Government

Political climate greater strides to bridge gap between state and the

younger electorate Shared Values (responsibilities to nation, community and

family)

Various avenues of participation (Feedback Unit, Non-

Constituency Member of Parliament...etc.) Civic society vis-a-vis Civil Society


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Civic Society vis-a-vis Civil Society

Civic Society: emphasis on civic

responsibilities

Civil Society: implied emphasis on rights of

citizenship

Sing. Gov't. emphasis on Civic rather than

civil society coincides with 5 elements of

shared value of Singapore

Rights balanced with duty


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Civil Society

Adam Smith and Adam Ferguson 18th c.

contrasted to natural condition of humansociety (Hobbesian state of nature)

Ernest Gellner originally construed as interest in history of

ideas

Society (as a sphere) is distinct from State (brought about by) commercial class

idependent of the state

mediated state and individual/group

interests


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Civil Society

Two conceptions of CS First conception (de Toqueville)

check on state power competitive political parties

independent judiciary free press

freedom of association, assembly and petition

Second Conception (Gramsci, Althusser)

State =Coercion + Ideology

partner on the state in governance propagate, reproduce and reinforce ideological hegemony of state

Ideological hegemony (Gramsci)- "condition of governance inwhich a concensus of values, viewpoints and/or worldview holdsbetween governing and governed"


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Civil Society

Civil Society in Singapore Arrangements between Sing. Gov't and CS fit

Gramscian concept.

Partner in governance manage discontent

Two unequal halves

State partner

independent organizations


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Civil Society

Constraints

Internal Security Act

Min Home Affairs can detain those who are

perceived to be threats to social stability

Societies Act

Registrar of Societies requires groups of 10 or

more persons to register

prohibition on political activity; limited to declared

constituencies


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Concepts to take note of

Social Capital (Putnam): networks, norms,and trust that enable participants achieve samegoals

Bonding Social Capital: same socialcircle/class/religion/race

Bridging Social Capital: cuts across narrowgroupings

Relative Autonomy (Poulantzas): State isnot totally influenced by superstructure

Documents

Relative Autonomy of State and Civil Society