Two Types Of The Political Participation Of American Civil Society

The relation between the civil society and the government has been paid close attention by western scholars. Locke, who was on behalf of liberalism, thought counterbalance and confrontation were the most important function of civil society against government. This thesis, which describes and analyses the status of political participation of American civil society from the end of 19th centuary to the end of cold war both from national and local level, points out that counterbalance and confrontation against government are not always the most important function of civil society.This thesis consists of preface , the main body of two parts , the conclusion and the references.In preface, the author points out that many western scholars think counterbalance and confrontation are a main function of civil society and analyses the origin of the point . Then the author comes up with her own point.Part one analyses to what extent the American civil society participates politics in national level . This part is divided into two parts the political participation of ordinary citizen and the political participation of special interest group . In some sense, the former has no right to take part in politics in national level. Though the latter can participate in politics, they can't stand for the benefit of average citizens. Furthermore, these special interest groups are incapable of taking part in making decision when the decision is about national crisis. So, in national level, the political participation of American civil society is limited and can't function as counterbalance and confrontation.Part two expounds that in local level the American civil society usually takes part in politics through referendum, initiative and recall. Only in local level can the American civil society function as counterbalance and confrontation against government.The conclusion is that counterbalance and confrontation are not the main function of civil society in every level and are influenced by the political surroundings.