ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines, through twelve case studies, the principal goals, programmes, aspects of governance and working methods of selected major nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society coalitions, and analyses the relationship of civil society and intergovernmental institutions and, in one case, civil society and a national government. It explores the issues of information and communications technology (ICT) and discusses the 'new diplomacy'. Civil society has been around for hundreds of years, ever since voluntary associations, mutual-help groups and interest groups were first formed. The book focuses on the understanding of civil society on the basis of the formulations of Gordenker and Weiss, the Commission on Global Governance, and Scholte's view of civil society in contemporary governance. It then discusses several contributors, especially Benjamin Rivlin and Heidi K. Ullrich, and analyses the nature and typology of civil society and NGOs.
