ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on identifying African civil society. It explores its theoretical background and its articulations through African history. The chapter analyzes the debate concerning application of the concept of civil society to African social and political reality. It outlines two opposing trends: antagonists of the application of the notion of civil society to African social and political reality and protagonists of such an application. The chapter focuses on social and political contexts shaping the emergence of African civil society. It also focuses on the premise that the concept of civil society benefits from multiple interpretations. The chapter explores some of its articulations through Africa's history. It approaches current challenges of African civil society, particularly in light of the globalization process. The chapter focuses on the relationship between African civil society and the state. Critics of African civil society argue that it is inappropriate to apply the concept of civil society to African social and political realities.
