Abstract
By emphasizing civil society’s ambiguous relationship with modernity, the author proposes a discursive definition of civil
society that draws on conflict theory. The author distinguishes between a civil society and a sectarian approach to politics
from a theoretical perspective. Accordingly, a juxtaposition of the Muslim Brotherhood and its splinter groups in the Egyptian
political arena epitomizes the opposing ideals of a civil society and a good society. Thus, the author moves away from the
theoretical debate on the compatibility of Islam and democracy and suggests the possibility of a learning process of democratic
practices by means of participating in the public sphere.
society that draws on conflict theory. The author distinguishes between a civil society and a sectarian approach to politics
from a theoretical perspective. Accordingly, a juxtaposition of the Muslim Brotherhood and its splinter groups in the Egyptian
political arena epitomizes the opposing ideals of a civil society and a good society. Thus, the author moves away from the
theoretical debate on the compatibility of Islam and democracy and suggests the possibility of a learning process of democratic
practices by means of participating in the public sphere.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-19
- DOI 10.1007/s11266-012-9299-4
- Authors
- Peter C. Weber, Center on Philanthropy, 550 West North Street, Suite 301, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Journal Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations
- Online ISSN 1573-7888
- Print ISSN 0957-8765