Civil society

Civil society is the "aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens."^[1] Civil society includes the family and the private sphere, referred to as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business.^[2] Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon defines civil society as 1) the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens or 2) individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of the government.^[1]