Structured Response #3

            Civil society has a mainstream view as an entity separate from the state, and usually opposing the state or some of the states policies to promote democratic ideals. However, the line between civil society and the non-democratic state become blurred when some civil society organizations are associated with the state or another traditionally non-democratic organization.

            Saad Eddin Ibrahim, the director of the Ibn Khaldun Center for Developmental Studies in Egypt, viewed civil society in the traditional way – as a “voluntary, nongovernmental association.” He believes that any definition of civil society other than the traditional, liberal American view would result in a “watering down of the analytical value of the concept.”

However, many scholars argue that a different kind of civil society is more beneficial to the Arab world because the Middle East is completely different from the western world where the mainstream concept of civil society first emerged. Wajih Kawtharani describes himself as a “liberal Muslim,” a concept that is confusing for many who associate religion with anti-democratic ideals. However, Kawtharani believes that Islam and democracy can work together. Holding a similar belief is Tariq Ramadan, who I saw speak at an event earlier this month. Ramadan believes that many of the moral concepts from Islam can be applied to the government and help form democracy. He believes that being a “Muslim democrat” is not impossible; in fact, he sees religion as a possible positive influence for civil society and the development of democracy. Ramadan would likely see religious societies as an important part of civil society whereas some western liberals do not views those types of organizations as part of civil society.

The emerging importance of non-traditional civil society organizations in the Middle East is confusing because some of the organizations do not seem to jive with democratic concepts. There is a gray area as to which organizations are actually pro-democracy and which are not. However, it is important not to classify certain organizations as opponents of democracy simply because they have religious affiliations or any other type of questionable bias.