Berny Lazareno

Response: Civil Society

5/23/16
B. Read
Platos The Apology of Socrates illustrates the dangers an uninformed or
ignorant public present for democracy and public policy. Platos account of
the trial of Socrates demonstrates that in a historical moment where public
policy directly reflected public opinion, a democratic public either ignorantly
or knowingly sentenced an innocent man, and perhaps Athens greatest
citizen, to death. In either case, the Athenians collective judgement failed
to live up to our contemporary ideals of democracy.
The founding ideals of democracy require individuals to engage in
fierce public debate in order to develop well informed rational public opinions
about government policy. In so doing, citizenries attentiveness to the public
sphere is supposed to serve as a check on government power, as well as
provide the voice that shapes public policy and institutions (Warren). The
publics inability to live up to the requirements of democracy is the problem
that civil associations are intended to address. In exploring the relationship
between civil society and the state, this paper looks at the role that Warren
assigns to civil associations and its potential shortcomings.
Warrens engaged procedural democracy is founded on two critical
presumptions: first, that autonomy is fundamentally good in relation to
demands of political relationships (62); secondly, that individual linguistic
subjects require social interaction in order to cultivate their moral self (64).
Importantly, since individuals possess a degree of agency and autonomy,
critical self-reflection requires engagement in fierce public debate through

Berny Lazareno
Response: Civil Society
5/23/16
B. Read
the use of public reasoning. As such, for Warren, civil associations serve a
dual purpose: first, associations empower individuals by developing their
personal capacities; secondly, associations strengthen the political
community by connecting individuals to one another and by providing a
mechanism that increases individuals active engagement in public spheres
(69-73).
Warrens emphasis on individuals, reason and public debate reflect
Western liberal ideals about democracy and civil society. However, Alagappa
(2004) and Madsen (2007), demonstrate that such ideals limit the scope of
our research to a particular set of secular-individual-association-state
relationships. And therefore limit our understanding of civil society. Madsen,
in his analysis documents that Tzu Chi, a Buddhist-Confucianist organization,
played a significant role in stabilizing the emerging Taiwanese democratic
state. As well, Tzu Chi through its disaster relief efforts and construction of
academic institutions shaped a Taiwanese civil society that is founded on
principles of submission to the family, reciprocity, helping others and
obedience to Master Chen Yen.
Although, the Tzu Chi demands of submission and obedience to Master
Yen appear antagonistic to our Western ideals about democracy, secularism
and civil society. In researching civil society, scholars should not disregard
secularisms own historical origins in Medieval Christian religious ideology
and practices (Ahmed 2004). Scholars should also bear in mind, that due to

Berny Lazareno
Response: Civil Society
5/23/16
B. Read
an uninformed majority of Americans abstaining from civic engagement, a
small number of extremists disproportionately influence government and
public policy (Fiorina). In this regard, if civil society is about empowering
citizens as well as strengthening the public sphere, the salient question is not
Is Tzu Chi a part of civil society? rather the question is What does Tzu
Chis success reveal about Western liberal ideals about democracy and civil
society?