ABSTRACT
Western societies are often defined as democratic not only in terms of the elective process and the competition of political parties, but also because there is a division between state and society that allows for the association of individuals independent of the state. Such groupings may be spontaneous and occasional-joining a chess club or a mothers’ association-or may take a political form-a campaign for the rights of veterans of Vietnam. The essence of a civil society is the right to free association of individuals; and the acid test of the vitality of civil society is the toleration of dissent and the creation of independent political parties that may compete for power.
