ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the organizational aspects of this issue, but a few introductory comments are necessary to set the context. It discusses some of the issues arising from the changing role of civil society in the West and necessary to say a word about terminology. The chapter explores many different expressions are used to describe civil society organizations. It focuses on particular features of these organizations, like 'not-for-profit' organizations (NPO) and 'non-governmental' organizations. context requires otherwise, the term 'voluntary organization' is used to refer to citizen organizations operating independently of government on a voluntary not-for-profit basis and having a social purpose, often although not always. Voluntary organizations must operate within a legal framework which upholds their independence. The chapter argues that civil society activity in itself of value to society as a whole and ought therefore to be supported by the state. Whether one accepts that approach or not, in practice the concept of public benefit organizations (PBO).